In the midst of this CPSI coverage, I don't want to lose this creativity-related comment by Greg Burton on the last apprentice mind post: "It seems to me that when we talk about 'creativity,' we're dealing with a wide range of human activities, and that creativity can be applied to both innovation and invention.

If we make the functional differentiations on 'invention' and 'innovation' then we can see how apprentice mind applies to both activities. It also seems that 'invention' can be both social and personal, and thereby provides a bridge between the range of 'purely personal' (creativity) and 'purely social' (innovation).

I've talked about innovation vs. creativity before. It might sound like splitting hairs, but there's value in discussing distinctions among creativity, innovation, and invention. My addition to what Greg said is that each seems to be a different function, or to function at a different level. I'd place these chronologically in this order -- first, creativity, because creativity is a way of thinking. Then, invention -- making an individual creation. Then, innovation, which I see as more of a process, or a culture.