Final answer:
Communicating, motivating, and providing guidance to employees is known as Directing. It is one of the key management functions, distinct from staffing, planning, and controlling, and often involves top-down communication patterns especially seen in authoritarian leadership styles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Communicating, motivating, and providing guidance to one's employees are management actions that fall under the category of Directing. This is a critical function within the management processes, which encompasses other roles such as staffing, planning, and controlling. Directing is about leading the team to achieve the organization's goals through effective communication, motivation, and providing clear instructions and feedback to the employees. For instance, an authoritarian leadership style has a communication pattern that flows from the top down, illustrating a form of direct control and guidance within an organization.