Some townspeople had tried everything to get motorists to drive slowly through a residential area. They posted signs that read “Please Drive Carefully, “Slow Down” and “Children at Play.” But nothing worked until they constructed a sign that read, “Nudist Colony Ahead.”

January is International Creativity Month. Being creative in the first month of the New Year can set you up for a year of success.

Creativity is a fascinating and essential aspect of human potential. It is not just about artistic expression. It is about problem-solving, innovation and looking at the world through a fresh lens. Minds are like parachutes: not much good unless they are open.

I was reading a study that tested individuals at various ages for creativity. At age 5, 90% were judged as creative. At age 17, that number was down to 10%, and by age 40, it was 2%.

Creativity at work is crucial for fostering an innovative organizational culture and driving overall success. It plays a pivotal role in how companies adapt to change, solve problems and maintain a competitive edge.

Here's a look at how creativity influences organizational culture and success:

Fostering innovation -- Creativity is the bedrock of innovation, enabling organizations to develop new products, services and processes. Companies that encourage creative thinking are often leaders in their industries, setting trends and pushing boundaries.

Enhancing problem-solving -- Creative approaches to problem-solving allow organizations to tackle challenges from new angles and find effective solutions. This can lead to more efficient operations, cost savings and improved customer satisfaction.

Building a dynamic culture -- A culture that values creativity attracts diverse talent and encourages collaboration and open communication. Employees feel empowered to share ideas and take risks, leading to a more engaged and motivated workforce.

Adapting to change -- Creative organizations are more agile and better equipped to adapt to market changes and disruptions. This adaptability ensures long-term sustainability and resilience in an ever-evolving business landscape.

Driving competitive advantage -- Creativity differentiates companies from their competitors, providing unique value propositions. Organizations that leverage creativity can capture new markets and retain customer loyalty.

Encouraging continuous improvement -- A creative mindset promotes a culture of continuous improvement and learning. This leads to ongoing improvements in processes, products and employee skills.

I love to study creativity, especially how products came to be and how companies were formed. When I think of creative companies, at the top of the list is Apple. As cellphones changed the landscape for both business and personal use, Apple led the class in improvements and enhancements that put your office in your pocket.

Before the iPhone, mobile phones were primarily used for calls and basic text messaging. Apple, known for its innovative products, saw an opportunity to revolutionize the mobile phone industry by combining a phone, an iPod and an internet communicator into one device.

Steve Jobs, Apple's co-founder, envisioned a device that would not only make calls but also serve as a portable computer, music player and camera. This vision required a blend of creativity and technical prowess, pushing the boundaries of what a phone could do.

Apple's team worked tirelessly to design a user-friendly interface, resulting in the development of the multi-touch screen. This allowed users to interact with the device using gestures, such as swiping and pinching, which was revolutionary at the time.

In 2007, Apple launched the first iPhone, which was met with widespread acclaim. It set a new standard for mobile devices, leading to the development of an entire ecosystem of apps and services. The iPhone's success transformed Apple into one of the most valuable companies in the world and reshaped the technology landscape.

Lest you think innovations need to be massive and broad, even small changes can have big implications for business. An improved shipping method, better marketing focus, making your website more user-friendly, product updates that reflect consumer suggestions -- sometimes it only takes some tweaking to make a big difference.

“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes and having fun,” said author and artist Mary Lou Cook. Her definition takes some of the fear out of trying new things. Calculated risks are part of the equation.

I like poet Maya Angelou’s take: “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”

When creativity becomes a habit, success almost always follows.

Mackay’s Moral: Inspiration and imagination go hand in hand.

A motorist overtook a young man running along the road. He stopped his car and asked the perspiring runner to get in.

The driver asked, “An emergency, I gather?”

“No,” puffed the young man. “I always run like that when I want a ride. It seldom fails.”

Resourcefulness is an incredibly important skill for employees, and it's one that I hold in high regard. In today's fast-paced and ever-changing work environment, the ability to think outside the box and solve problems creatively is invaluable. Resourceful employees are adept at using the tools and information available to them to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

Resourceful people can see the upside of down times. They are not willing to give up just because things get complicated. And here’s a news flash: They are not all geniuses. They just don’t accept defeat easily.

You must be thinking all the time: How can I maximize what I want to do? How can I get things done? How can I get the information I need? By being resourceful.

Motivational author Tony Robbins said, “The defining factor [for success] is never resources; it’s resourcefulness.”

Resourcefulness is a real asset for anyone trying to get the edge over the competition, whether it’s finding a job, keeping a job, making customers happy or landing a new account.

Perhaps the best feature of resourcefulness is that it doesn’t have to cost your company any money. Using the brainpower already on the payroll is a great place to start. A company offered a reward of half of whatever savings a viable, creative cost-cutting measure would yield. Did they get any suggestions? You’d better believe it. And nearly all of them were fairly simple to implement. These folks had been hatching ideas for a long time, but the “We’ve always done it this way” mentality kept them quiet.

Being resourceful can come in many ways. For example, a medical school in Switzerland gives each graduating student a batch of 10-year-old copies of Newsweek magazine so patients won’t think they are new in the business.

Kids are very resourceful and quite often try to put one over on their parents. One night a girl got home quite late, after her midnight curfew. The next morning at breakfast her mother said, “Didn’t I hear the clock strike two as you came in last night?”

“Yes, mother,” the daughter replied. “The clock started to strike 12, but I stopped it as soon as I could to keep it from waking you.”

Do you remember the TV show “MacGyver”? The eponymous character was the epitome of resourcefulness. He would get trapped, usually in a building that contained a ticking time bomb, but he was able to free himself by using what was available to him, like duct tape or chewing gum. I was always intrigued -- and impressed -- and even a little jealous.

Here’s why resourcefulness matters:

Problem-solving -- Resourceful employees can tackle problems head-on and find innovative solutions, often with limited resources. This skill is crucial in maintaining productivity and efficiency.

Adaptability -- The workplace is constantly evolving, and being resourceful allows employees to adapt to new situations and technologies quickly and effectively.

Independence -- Resourceful individuals can work independently, reducing the need for constant supervision and allowing managers to focus on strategic tasks.

Competitive edge -- In a competitive job market, resourcefulness sets employees apart. It demonstrates initiative and the ability to add value to an organization.

Contribution to team success -- Resourceful employees often become go-to people within their teams, contributing to a positive and proactive work environment.

In essence, resourcefulness is a key driver of success in any role. It empowers employees to navigate challenges and seize opportunities, ultimately benefiting both the individual and the organization.

Here’s a final story to illustrate my point. An explorer was captured by natives in the wilds of the jungle. They were dancing around him threateningly, when an idea struck the explorer -- he would awe them with magic. So, he took out his cigarette lighter and with a flick of his thumb, the lighter burst into flame.

The tribe fell back in astonishment.

“Magic!” cried the explorer in triumph.

“Sure is,” replied the chief. “Only time we ever saw a lighter work the first time.”

Once there was a college running back who everyone agreed had the ability to be the best. He was drafted early by the pros. Sadly, he never really performed up to expectations. His coach finally released him in favor of a player who had much less ability.

Asked how he could do such a thing, the coach said the decision had been relatively simple; “That man has all the ability in the world, but the player I kept has all the touchdowns.”

No matter what your abilities, use them to their fullest. Invest wisely in activities, projects, people and life, and you will find them multiplying.

“You are the only person on Earth who can use your ability,” said Zig Ziglar, author, salesman and motivational speaker.

A major league baseball manager agreed, saying ability is a crazy thing. It’s fun to talk about it and beautiful to see it in action, but hardly anybody really understands it. People think it’s something a player keeps in his equipment bag and puts on as he does his uniform. But a true professional knows that isn’t true. He knows his ability isn’t real unless he is actually on the field demonstrating it.

My dear friend, football coach extraordinaire Lou Holtz, put it this way: “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”

Employees can showcase their abilities in several ways that align with the ideas shared in the context. Here are some effective strategies.

Actively participate in performance reviews by highlighting your achievements and discussing areas where you excel. Be proactive in identifying skills you wish to develop further.

Contribute innovative ideas through suggestion boxes or similar platforms. This not only demonstrates creativity but also shows initiative and a willingness to improve the organization.

When new projects arise, volunteer to take on roles that allow you to utilize and showcase your unique skills. This can demonstrate your versatility and eagerness to contribute beyond your usual responsibilities.

Look for opportunities to share talents that may not be immediately relevant to your job but can add value. For example, using creative skills to enhance presentations or team activities.

Engage with colleagues from different departments to build relationships and demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively, which can highlight your interpersonal skills and adaptability.

Explore classes or training opportunities to further develop your skills or learn new ones. Diversifying your array of abilities may demonstrate your resourcefulness and willingness to use all your abilities, even those that may not have been immediately apparent.

The ability to recognize ability is incredibly important, especially in management and leadership roles. Hiring someone based on their skills and expertise rather than just their personality can significantly impact a company's success.

Recognizing ability means identifying the unique talents and strengths that individuals bring to the table. This skill allows leaders to build strong, effective teams and ensure that the right people are in the right roles. It also involves seeing potential in individuals who may not fit the typical mold but have the capability to excel in their positions.

I once hired a CFO because of his exceptional fiscal know-how, despite the fact that he was not a people person. His ability to manage finances effectively made him invaluable to our company for 25 years. Above all else, I look for people who can do the job. It’s more of a talent show than a congeniality contest.

A friend of mine told me that he had an employee who was known for his incredible ability to solve complex problems. However, he had a unique quirk -- he would always solve these problems while balancing on a yoga ball. One day, during a particularly challenging project, the team was stuck on a technical issue. The problem-solver rolled in on his yoga ball, bouncing gently as he pondered the problem.

After a few moments of bouncing and thinking, he exclaimed, “I've got it!” and proceeded to explain the solution. The team was amazed, not just by his ability to solve the problem, but by the fact that he did it while maintaining perfect balance on that yoga ball.

From then on, whenever a problem seemed insurmountable, someone would jokingly suggest, “Quick, get the yoga ball!” It became a light-hearted reminder that sometimes, ability comes in the most unexpected forms.

Sometimes, the key to unlocking ability is finding your own unique balance.

Mackay’s Moral: The ability to recognize ability is the most important ability.