Research has shown that leaders play an important role in improving team adaptation. However, it is still unclear how leader developmental feedback influences team adaptation. Building on team process theory, this study examines if, why, and when leader developmental feedback influences team adaptation. Results from a multi-stage, multi-source field survey study reveal that leader developmental feedback is positively related to team adaptation. Team knowledge sharing and team harmonious passion mediate the relationship between leader developmental feedback and team adaptation. Moreover, team autonomy moderates the relationships between leader developmental feedback and team information sharing as well as the relationship between leader developmental feedback and team harmonious passion, and this moderating effect is stronger when the level of team autonomy is high rather than low.
