Which activity is associated with the leading function of management?

The leading function of management is primarily focused on guiding and influencing employees to achieve organizational goals. This includes activities such as motivating subordinates, which is crucial for ensuring that team members are engaged, productive, and aligned with the organization's objectives. By fostering a positive work environment and inspiring employees to perform at their best, effective leaders can drive higher levels of performance and commitment within the team.

While setting performance standards, training new employees, and developing procedures are important managerial activities, they primarily fall under other functions of management. Setting performance standards is part of the controlling function, as it establishes benchmarks for evaluating outcomes. Training new employees is associated with staffing or organizing, as it ensures that individuals have the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute effectively. Developing procedures aligns more closely with organizing and planning, focusing on creating structured ways to achieve tasks.

In summary, motivating subordinates is a core aspect of the leading function because it directly relates to guiding and influencing employees to ensure the achievement of the organization's goals. This makes it the most appropriate choice in the context of the question.