Final answer:
The management style known as Directing or high task/low relationship in Hersey and Blanchard's model is characterized by a manager exerting strict control over work procedures with minimal relationship-building, which corresponds to option D: 'Controls staff with little feedback.'
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Hersey and Blanchard, the management style known as Directing or high task/low relationship is characterized by the manager having stringent control over work procedures and with a minimal emphasis on building relationships with employees.
This style consists of a manager who controls staff with minimal feedback and without coaching employees, which aligns with option D: 'Controls staff with little feedback.'
This leadership approach falls under the situational leadership model, where leaders adapt their style based on the maturity level of the team members they are working with. In this model, the Directing approach is generally used for team members with low maturity, who are unable to perform a task without close supervision.
This contrasts with other leadership styles such as Democratic, Laissez-faire, and Authoritarian, which offer varying degrees of control and employee engagement, dependent on the needs of the situation and the employees involved. Option D