Leading includes Directing and coordinating staff, motivating employees, directing activities, selecting effective communication channels, and resolving conflict. This is the description of which management function?

• A. Leading
• B. Planning
• C. Controlling
• D. Organizing

Answer: (A)

Leading is the management function described here. It centers on guiding and influencing people to work toward shared goals. The activities listed—directing and coordinating staff, motivating employees, directing day-to-day activities, selecting effective communication channels, and resolving conflicts—are all about shaping behavior, maintaining morale, facilitating communication, and handling interpersonal issues. These are core leadership actions that drive people to perform and stay aligned with the organization’s objectives.

In contrast, planning focuses on setting goals and deciding what actions to take; organizing involves arranging resources and structuring tasks and roles; controlling deals with monitoring performance and making adjustments. The emphasis on directing people, motivating them, and resolving conflicts is what makes this description characteristic of leading.