Sourdough as metaphor

A few years ago, I started writing about sourdough as a metaphor for innovation. I began growing a sourdough starter on a whim and found its journey aligned nicely with my efforts to create innovation in the Illinois early childhood space.

Here are some highlights:

Sourdough Lesson 1: Back to the beginning

This week in Innovation and Sourdough: when in doubt, go back to the basics. I tried a few experiments that didn’t go as planned (liquified my sourdough). I slowed down (refreshed the starter 2x). Returned to my roots (that first sourdough recipe). And all is good. Of course this is also a metaphor! What do you do when things stop going as planned? How do you bring it back to Center?

Sourdough lesson 2: Turn your "old" into something new

More lessons learned from sourdough: Keeping sourdough active requires taking a small bit off and refreshing the remainder with new flour and water. This "discard" can be thrown away, or it may be incorporated into a new recipe. Today, my discard transformed into 14 crisp and beautiful waffles! With the first day of spring and crocuses sprouting, how are you turning your "old" into something new?

Sourdough lesson 3: Don't give up

This week's lesson: Despite a clear technique, it is still possible to make mistakes. My mixer overheated with this wheat bread. I switched to handmixing and knocked back the loaf when I didn't need to (no pun intended!). The second rise was sad - no lift. So, turning these dense loaves into croutons for French Onion soup. #keepgoing #dontgiveup

Sourdough lesson 4: Try a new technique

Last week's sourdough lesson: When in doubt, try a new technique. Found a more straightforward way to proof the sponge and made a light oatmeal sourdough. #dontgiveup #Keepadapting.

Sourdough lesson 5: No failure, only learning

What can over-risen sourdough bread teach us about innovation and community systems? The more your practice, the better you get. It's easy to start strong, forget a key component and get an unexpected result. No failure, only learning. Pause, and reflect - what did you expect to happen? What actually happened? What will you try as your next step? How quickly can we go and see? Keep going, you got this.