Which activity is essential for lower-level managers to carry out effectively?

Supervising employee performance is essential for lower-level managers as it directly relates to their core responsibilities. Lower-level managers are primarily tasked with overseeing the day-to-day operations of their teams. This involves ensuring that employees understand their roles, providing guidance, coaching, and feedback, and addressing any performance issues that may arise. By effectively supervising performance, lower-level managers support employee development, foster a productive work environment, and contribute to achieving the organization's goals.

In contrast, activities such as developing company policies are typically reserved for higher-level management, as they involve long-term strategic planning and broader organizational considerations. Conducting market research is generally the responsibility of marketing or research teams that focus on gathering insights for business decisions. Creating promotional materials is also often handled by specialized marketing personnel who design communications based on strategic direction rather than being a direct responsibility of lower-level managers. Thus, supervising employee performance stands out as the most crucial activity for lower-level managers to ensure operational success and team effectiveness.