What principle of motivating work is being used when the head professional gives the assistant professional the freedom to decide how to manage the entire member-guest tournament?

The principle of motivating work being utilized in this scenario is autonomy. When the head professional allows the assistant professional the freedom to make decisions regarding the management of the entire member-guest tournament, it empowers the assistant to take ownership of the task. This level of independence can lead to a greater sense of responsibility and motivation, as individuals often feel more eager to engage in their work when they have the ability to make choices and influence outcomes.

In contrast, the other options do not capture the essence of the scenario. While "significant work" refers to the importance of one's contributions to the overall mission or goals, it doesn't specifically address the freedom to make independent decisions. "Whole task" relates to the idea of completing an entire, meaningful project rather than a fragmented portion of it, which also doesn’t reflect the decision-making authority given to the assistant. "Skill variety" involves utilizing a range of skills and abilities, yet does not directly encapsulate the empowering aspect of autonomy that allows the individual to lead. Each of these concepts pertains to motivation in the workplace but does not emphasize the importance of independence and self-direction that autonomy does.