Communicating, motivating and providing guidance to employees belongs to which management skill?

The correct answer is directing, as this management skill involves leading and influencing employees to perform their tasks effectively. Directing encompasses the aspects of communication, motivation, and guidance, which are essential for fostering a productive work environment. Managers use directing to ensure that team members understand their roles and objectives, remain motivated to achieve them, and receive the support they need to overcome challenges.

In contrast, staffing focuses on the recruitment and selection of employees, planning is concerned with setting objectives and outlining how to achieve them, and controlling involves monitoring performance and implementing corrective actions when necessary. These functions, while critical to management, do not specifically center on the interpersonal aspects of guiding and motivating employees as directly as the directing function does.