The blog Barking Up the Wrong Tree has some great thoughts from Scott Barry Kaufman on how to be creative (and we all need this skill, no matter your job). And there is one skill above all others you need to master, according to Kaufman:
My data so far suggests “openness to experience” is the number one thing to cultivate for both personal meaningful creativity and world changing creativity. What that means is constantly challenging yourself beyond your comfort zone, constantly questioning assumptions, being intellectually curious, and appreciating beauty. Personal growth is intimately tied to openness to experience.