In a fast-developing and very competitive world, being creative is one of the ways to get you ahead of your peers.

To honor people who have delivered a stellar creative performance all over the world in their respective fields, American business magazine Fast Company has been releasing an annual list of the 100 most creative people in business since 2009.

This year, Li Na, a Chinese sports icon, became the second Chinese person in five years to appear on the list for being “a model of barrier-breaking acumen -- the only Nike-sponsored athlete ever permitted to wear patches from other sponsors on her Nike gear.”

"It was always important for me to be a strong person both on and off the court," Li once said.

Li, ranking 50 on the list, is the only athlete in the world to make this year’s business-people-dominated list.

Before Li Na, Jay Chou, a famous Chinese pop singer, actor and director, appeared on the 2009 edition of the annual list.

At the top of this year’s list, released on Monday, is Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al-Saud, CEO of the Saudi Arabian luxury retailer Alfa Intl.

The list credited the princess as someone “who is bringing meaningful change to one of the world's least-progressive cultures.”

Check out who else appears in the top 10 with Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al-Saud.

 

 Michael Heyward

Michael Heyward [Fast Company]

Founder, CEO Whisper

Reason for inclusion:For sharing people's secrets.