What differentiates humans from the great apes?

We know that a number of other creatures have some traits/abilities that we previously thought were exclusively human ….like the ability to use tools.

Though some animals (and even some birds) do use tools, only man seems to have developed the ability to plan new uses for existing tools - or new, improved tools that can do the exiting job better.  This ‘creativity’ and ‘development’ seems to be uniquely human.

Why does this interest me personally.

Well, it seems as though man is uniquely able to improve productivity - a key element of the human condition seems to be s propensity for continuous improvement.  You should make sure you use this trait - by ensuring you give your (human) workers the opportunity to use their creativity and their propensity for continuous improvement.