Strategic information provision and experiential variety as tools for developing adaptive leadership skills.

The development of adaptability skills is critical for organizational success and survival, yet traditional training interventions are not sufficient to promote adaptive expertise. In this article, we summarize prior research on two training techniques that develop such expertise: experiential variety and strategic information provision in the form of instructions, performance feedback, and cognitive/behavioral guidance. Prior integrative reviews have described how these strategies can promote adaptability by fostering skills in cognitive frame-switching and flexibility. We extend these arguments in the present article by reviewing prior research that supports the use of experiential variety and strategic information provision as elements of an adaptability training strategy. We examine the use of these elements not only in formal training (which was the prime focus of prior reviews), but also in developmental work experiences and in self-development. Additionally, we include a more specific focus on developing cross-cultural adaptability skills through these training techniques.