creativity vs. ingenuity

We see many ways people have "creatively" solved a problem, but that is really an act of ingenuity. The clever or inventive solution. In fact creativity starts really when the needed acts of ingenuity are done. The artistic endeavors that are manifestations of truly creative efforts, have nothing to do with the practicalities of problem solving. They react to the emotional aftermath of the immediate. We see the creative in so many histories and cultures. Even ancient peoples, whose identity we can barely discern, exhibited creativity, cave painting for example. Too often it gets interpreted as having some kind of deep religious meaning, but if they had only been dealing with the day to day acts of eating, mating , and staying safe, they would not have used the creativity to find the pigments and the tools to put those pictures on the wall. Was it solving a problem? No, it was creative.
While people have often told me I am clever, I sometimes hesitate to say I am very creative.

leading from the middle of the pack

It was brought home to me once again that it is not those figures of leadership that bring innovation or creativity or even drive to any given enterprise. It is those in the trenches doing the day to day work who see how things can and should be changed to the improvement of all.
I have often thought that those who engineer or design an item should be willing to spend intimate time with it for several weeks. Those who lead troops should be on the battle field. And doctors should be the ones responsible for dealing with any aftermath. But it is the consumer and the soldier and the nurses who really know the shortcomings and improvements that need to happen, but the willingness of those with the power to direct widespread change seem too often deaf to the value of what their subordinates are telling them.
But I will try doing my part. I will continue putting forth ideas for improvement and change where it affect me.