Final answer:
Top managers typically spend most of their time leading, as they are responsible for motivating employees, driving change, and making strategic decisions that determine the organization's direction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question at hand asks which management function top managers typically spend most of their time doing. The functions of management typically include planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Among these functions, top managers are often primarily associated with planning and leading. Planning involves defining organizational goals and determining the appropriate strategies to achieve them, whereas leading focuses on directing and coordinating the work of employees.
In many organizations, top managers spend a significant portion of their time leading. They provide vision, establish the organizational culture, motivate employees, and drive change. This level of management is responsible for making strategic decisions that shape the entire organization and its future direction, thus spending considerable effort in leadership roles.