Which example best represents the top level of management?

The example provided aligns best with the functions and responsibilities characteristic of top-level management. In a management hierarchy, top-level managers are primarily concerned with setting the strategic direction of the organization. This includes making high-stakes decisions that can affect the overall health and future of the company, such as the direction of a new marketing campaign.

Top-tier managers, like Thom in this scenario, engage in long-term planning and establish the organization's overall goals while also making decisions that will guide other levels of management and their teams towards these objectives. Their focus is on the bigger picture and how all parts of the organization work together to achieve strategic aims.

On the other hand, the other scenarios focus on operational aspects or middle-management roles. For instance, another example involves management practices like reporting on completed tasks or facilitating communication between upper and lower management, which indicates responsibilities more aligned with middle management. Similarly, providing feedback and directing employees for their weekly tasks reflects supervisory or lower-level management responsibilities as it focuses on day-to-day operations rather than long-term strategic direction.