Solution
Option 1 -> Ensures managers plan all the work - This relates to the planning function, not directing. Directing focuses on leading and guiding people, not just planning tasks.
Option 2 -> Empowers employees and improves their engagement - This reflects the core essence of directing through motivation, leadership, and communication that energizes employees to achieve organizational goals.
Option 3 -> Reduces employee responsibility - This is counterproductive to effective directing, which should increase employee involvement and accountability, not reduce it.
Option 4 -> Limits feedback opportunities - This contradicts effective directing, which requires open communication and continuous feedback between managers and employees.
Hence, Option 2: Empowers employees and improves their engagement -> Directing is called the heart of management because it breathes life into the organization by initiating action through people. Sarah's empowerment of employees and improvement of their engagement demonstrates how directing motivates, leads, guides, and inspires employees to perform effectively, making it the vital link that converts plans into actual performance -> correct