Interview With 2mike Duralia Personal Communication June 8,

Interview 2mike Duralia Personal Communication June 08, 2014 2a S

A series of interviews is being conducted in support of a thesis to be brought forth for consideration to the School of Human Services at Amridge University in the summer of 2014. The purpose of the interviews is to assess the viability of the occupation of Professional Coaching. The interviewees will consist of employees and employers related to Human Services occupations and specifically the occupations related to Professional Coaching. Certified Coach Practitioner Mike Duralia is a Life Coach in South Carolina. Mike understands that there is some confusion in the United States about coaching, and he is glad to share his approach to coaching.

He explains that Life Coaching encompasses all of the aspects of coaching which helps an individual move along their own unique journey. Despite the field being new and ambiguous to most of the public, Mike believes that the profession is adequate for helping people get “unstuck”. Mike currently conducts Life Coaching services independently as a secondary source of income. His approach to Life Coaching begins with an individual assessment of clients using astrology, numerology as well as influences from nature and the human body. Additionally, various maxims are used in his coaching, such as what he calls, the three strike rule, “once is a fluke, the second time is a coincidence and the third time is a pattern”, “looking over your life, taking the labels off of everything and seeing the common threads”.

Mike holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Arizona State University and is certified through the Certified Coaches Federation as a Coach Practitioner. His professional career began by looking to establish himself as a business executive but found that as he himself took a look at the “common threads” in his life, he had always been a coach and a teacher. Through life situations and circumstance, Mike was propelled to make his life-long role an official title in 2013 through pursuit and accomplishment of certification. Mike trained for two and a half days over a weekend and gained certification. Mike is clear that he is “not a therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist [nor is he] looking to work with people with deep psychological problems”. It is his belief that “everybody needs a coach”. Mike explains the role of a coach as an individual who brings forth what is already inside of a client of which they are not presently aware.

He explains that sometimes this process includes pointing out things to customers which they do not want to hear, or that may cause them anxiety or distress. Mike understands this process as, “talking about truths to get to progress”, and has a belief that life introduces people to signs of these truths, but that we often suppress or ignore the evidence. He used the following analogy: “It’s like driving up to an intersection, but the fog is so thick that you can’t see the [traffic] light”. Mike doesn’t believe in accidents but does see a great value in process. Through encouraging people to do things differently (i.e., changing the process), he recognizes that there is potential for clients to experience success and also meet failure.

During our interview, Mike spoke about a general shift in people’s mentality that he has witnessed over the years. He compared this change to the effects of technological advancements with the internet—moving from dial-up to wireless. He has explained to clients that planting grass seed doesn’t render grass within 24 hours; the growth process takes time. Mike focuses his coaching on the journey of life versus the destination, and believes that, through this enlightenment, individuals are in a better position to appreciate progress, which ultimately promotes positive change. He also commented about coaching in organizations, stating that this type of coaching should also focus on process.

He believes that understanding and engaging employees affects productivity, which affects consumers and productivity. In organizations that lack an atmosphere which includes coaching, there is a loss of both awareness and happiness. Mike admits that it is disappointing to not be able to help a particular client, but understands that the services he provides are not for everyone. In this light, he feels like it is better for both parties to find this out early in the process. Ultimately, Mike considers coaching to be a process of guidance. Clients are left to decide whether to act upon the guidance and remain responsible for their own actions. For Mike, coaching is about helping clients find their own answers.

Paper For Above instruction

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a foundational psychological theory that delineates human motivations into five ascending levels: physiological needs, safety needs, love and belongingness, esteem, and self-actualization. The PSA regarding professional coaching by Mike Duralia subtly addresses several of these levels, illustrating how coaching can fulfill integral human needs and foster personal growth.

Primarily, the PSA appeals to the need for self-actualization, which Maslow regarded as the highest level of human motivation. Duralia emphasizes coaching as a process that helps individuals move along their unique life journeys, uncover truths about themselves, and achieve personal goals. His assertion that “everybody needs a coach” suggests that coaching serves as a catalyst for realizing an individual’s potential, aligning with Maslow’s concept of self-actualization where individuals strive to become their fullest selves. For example, Duralia’s method of assessing clients through astrology and numerology can aid individuals in understanding their intrinsic motivations, thus pushing them closer toward personal fulfillment.

Furthermore, the PSA addresses safety needs indirectly by highlighting coaching’s role in guiding clients through life’s uncertainties. Duralia’s analogy of driving through thick fog reflects the importance of clarity and security in one’s life path. Coaching, in this context, provides a sense of stability, direction, and confidence, which are central to safety needs. For instance, organizational coaching fostered by Duralia emphasizes understanding workplace processes to improve efficiency, thereby contributing to job security and organizational stability for employees.

Love and belongingness needs are also subtly implicated, especially in the context of organizational coaching. Duralia’s statement that understanding and engaging employees enhances productivity and happiness suggests that coaching can strengthen social bonds within workplaces. By improving communication and team cohesion, coaching fosters a sense of community and belonging at work, fulfilling these relational needs.

Meanwhile, the esteem level is addressed through the focus on personal growth and the recognition of individual achievements. Duralia’s emphasis on clients seeing progress and their journey underscores the importance of self-respect and self-esteem. The coaching process helps individuals recognize their strengths and accomplishments, elevating their confidence and sense of worth. For example, by helping clients identify and let go of labels that restrict them, coaching empowers them to develop a positive self-image.

In sum, the PSA indirectly addresses Maslow’s hierarchy by emphasizing the role of coaching in promoting self-awareness, security, social connections, and personal achievement. It positions coaching as a comprehensive approach that supports individuals’ pursuit of fulfillment and well-being across multiple levels of motivation, illustrating its potential to enhance human development holistically.

Aristotle’s three persuasive appeals—ethos, pathos, and logos—are relevant in examining this PSA, as they underpin effective communication and persuasion. Ethos, or credibility, is established through Duralia’s professional certification, his experience, and his clear boundaries regarding coaching’s scope. By highlighting his certification through the Certified Coaches Federation and his experience since 2013, the PSA projects authority and expertise, fostering trust with potential clients.

Pathos, or emotional appeal, is employed when Duralia discusses the challenges faced by individuals feeling “stuck” and the journey towards fulfillment. The analogy of driving through fog evokes a visual image that can provoke feelings of uncertainty and hope—emotions that resonate with audience members seeking guidance. By emphasizing that “everybody needs a coach,” the PSA connects personally with viewers who may be desiring change, creating an emotional motivation to consider coaching services.

Logos, or logical appeal, manifests in the logical explanation of coaching’s purpose and methods. The PSA outlines the process—assessment, guidance, and facilitating self-discovery—providing a rational framework for understanding how coaching helps clients. Explaining that coaching involves pointing out truths, encouraging different actions, and focusing on process lends clarity and reasonableness to the profession’s value. For example, the analogy of planting grass seeds over time supports a logical understanding that change requires patience and ongoing effort.

The Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) of Persuasion suggests that individuals process messages via two routes: the central route, which involves careful scrutiny of message content, and the peripheral route, which relies on superficial cues. In the context of this PSA, the central route is engaged through the presentation of logical explanations of coaching methods, credentials, and analogies that support its efficacy. The detailed description of the coaching process and certification appeals to those motivated to analyze the message logically, leading to more enduring attitude change.

Simultaneously, peripheral cues such as Duralia’s professional attire, certification mention, and confident tone serve to influence viewers who may not critically evaluate the content initially, but are swayed by these surface indicators of credibility and professionalism. For example, the mention of certification from a recognized body functions as a peripheral cue that enhances trustworthiness without requiring deep analysis from the audience.

When constructing arguments through claims, evidence, and warrants, the PSA’s claim is that professional coaching is a beneficial process that can help individuals and organizations improve their lives and productivity. An example claim could be: “Coaching helps individuals uncover their inner truths and achieve personal growth.” The evidence supporting this claim includes Duralia’s explanations of assessment methods, analogies about growth, and the assertion that “everybody needs a coach.” The warrant that connects evidence to claim is that tailored guidance and self-awareness are effective means for personal development, which is supported by psychological theories and Duralia’s professional experience.

Regarding logical fallacies, there is minimal presence of overt fallacious reasoning. However, one potential fallacy could be an appeal to authority—implying that because Duralia is certified and experienced, his coaching approach is unquestionably valid. For example, stating, “He is certified by the Certified Coaches Federation; therefore, his coaching methods are effective,” could be seen as an appeal to authority fallacy if not supported by empirical evidence of efficacy. Awareness of such fallacies is vital in critically evaluating promotional messages and ensuring that arguments are well-grounded in evidence rather than solely authoritative claims.

Finally, my opinion of this PSA is that it effectively employs emotional and logical appeals to persuade viewers of the importance of coaching. The use of analogies and emphasis on personal growth invites emotional engagement, while detailed explanations of methodologies and credentials appeal to reason. I find that the messaging is compelling because it humanizes the coaching process and demonstrates practical benefits, challenging the misconception that coaching is superficial or ineffective. The PSA persuades me that coaching can be a valuable tool for self-improvement and organizational development, especially when approached with professionalism and clarity, as exemplified by Duralia’s presentation. However, its impact would be strengthened further by providing concrete evidence of success stories or scientific validation to address skepticism about coaching’s effectiveness.

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