ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on some sources of differences between the organization development (OD) generations. It deals with difference in socialization, whose illustrative features are sketched. The chapter introduces differences in lode stars, which contrast basic guides to professional life characteristic of the clusters of OD generations. Three differences in socialization selectively suggest sources of major incongruencies in the worldviews of the OD generations. The differences are previous training and background, rating and rejuvenation, and OD institutions. Two lode stars have guided OD travelers, as it were. Differences in these two major orienting biases help explain the historical myopia in OD, as well as the unconnectedness between generations. The lode stars are: elitist/populist combinations and different marketplaces. One can appreciate how more established ODers, especially, might have concerns about quality control. Additional features might be added, but the net effect would remain basically unchanged.
