Make a list of leaders you admire and who have made a difference in the world. They could be living or dead. The chances are they all have one outstanding quality in common: they are bold.

A strong mind excels at speed, creativity, and decisive action. They are risk-takers. It’s not the only factor that drives success, but perhaps it is one of the most important in the age of overload. We all face the twin problems of deciding what to do and what to tune out.

Creativity enables leaders to imagine different solutions to a problem and can help you “cut through the noise and focus on the signal,” as high profile entrepreneur Elon Musk describes it. If you want to make an impact, you need to act boldly, especially when the going gets tough.