This week we dig into The Predictive Index and how tools like it can help leaders better understand the people on their team. Instead of guessing at strengths, motivations, or communication styles, PI creates a clearer picture of how someone naturally works — and how to set them up for success. We talk about why these insights matter, how they can guide hiring and coaching, and where they fit alongside culture, values, and real-world performance.
At its core, this episode is about using data to support people, not define them. PI isn’t a shortcut or a replacement for good leadership; it’s a way to communicate better, set clearer expectations, and build teams that function with more empathy and alignment. When leaders combine tools like this with strong values and intentional culture, they create workplaces where people actually thrive.
🔗 Links –
The Predictive Index:
https://www.predictiveindex.com/
Cat & Cloud:
Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/
Webstore www.catandcloud.com/
We are Cat & Cloud Coffee. Started by three friends trying to pursue their passions with the mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, and we created this podcast to continue forming those connections inside and out of our cafes.
The Cat & Cloud podcast was created as a space for us to share our experiences in the coffee industry and starting a business. Each week we sit down to talk about new challenges as business owners, how we utilize our mission and values to make decisions, and answer questions from our listening community. If you’re looking to expand your coffee knowledge, get some advice for your own small business, or just like the vibes, give us a listen!
Enjoy!
All content for Cat & Cloud Podcast is the property of Cat & Cloud and is served directly from their servers
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This week we dig into The Predictive Index and how tools like it can help leaders better understand the people on their team. Instead of guessing at strengths, motivations, or communication styles, PI creates a clearer picture of how someone naturally works — and how to set them up for success. We talk about why these insights matter, how they can guide hiring and coaching, and where they fit alongside culture, values, and real-world performance.
At its core, this episode is about using data to support people, not define them. PI isn’t a shortcut or a replacement for good leadership; it’s a way to communicate better, set clearer expectations, and build teams that function with more empathy and alignment. When leaders combine tools like this with strong values and intentional culture, they create workplaces where people actually thrive.
🔗 Links –
The Predictive Index:
https://www.predictiveindex.com/
Cat & Cloud:
Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/
Webstore www.catandcloud.com/
We are Cat & Cloud Coffee. Started by three friends trying to pursue their passions with the mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, and we created this podcast to continue forming those connections inside and out of our cafes.
The Cat & Cloud podcast was created as a space for us to share our experiences in the coffee industry and starting a business. Each week we sit down to talk about new challenges as business owners, how we utilize our mission and values to make decisions, and answer questions from our listening community. If you’re looking to expand your coffee knowledge, get some advice for your own small business, or just like the vibes, give us a listen!
Enjoy!
What Is It Good For – When is a certification required or just extra.
Cat & Cloud Podcast
42 minutes 37 seconds
4 months ago
What Is It Good For – When is a certification required or just extra.
This week we talk about the shifting landscape of coffee certifications — particularly the recent changes to the Q grader system. With the program moving under CQI, many coffee professionals are now being told their existing certifications no longer count, and that they’ll need to retest under a new system. This sparks a conversation about what certifications really mean in practice. Do they actually make someone better at sourcing or tasting coffee, or are they more about recognition and status within the industry? For seasoned professionals with years of experience, the answer isn't always clear — especially when their day-to-day work remains unchanged by these official titles.
We talk about how learned skills typically come not from structured certifications, but from real-world practice. While certifications can offer a shared language and pathway for new professionals, we question whether they should be gatekeepers for credibility. In the end, staying sharp and doing meaningful work comes down to passion, commitment, and community — not just passing a test. It's a reminder that building culture in coffee isn’t about following someone else’s system, but about knowing your values and living them out.
🔖 Chapters –
00:00 Stirring the Pot
01:57 C.O.E. coffees
09:47 Coffee in Competitions
13:43 The Q Grader Certification Debate
17:59 Industry Standards and Their Relevance
30:57 Certification of experience
🔗 Links –
Trish Rothgeb - The Sprudge Twenty Interview: https://sprudge.com/trish-rothgeb-the-sprudge-twenty-interview-258811.html
Actually Good Coffee Podcast: https://actuallygoodcoffeepodcast.podbean.com/e/41-the-sca-and-cqi-have-some-explaining-to-do/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/
Cat & Cloud webstore: catandcloud.com/
Chris Baca’s Personal Blog: chrisbaca.com/
We are Cat & Cloud Coffee. Started by three friends trying to pursue their passions with the mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, and we created this podcast to continue forming those connections inside and out of our cafes.
The Cat & Cloud podcast was created as a space for us to share our experiences in the coffee industry and starting a business. Each week we sit down to talk about new challenges as business owners, how we utilize our mission and values to make decisions, and answer questions from our listening community. If you’re looking to expand your coffee knowledge, get some advice for your own small business, or just like the vibes, give us a listen!
Enjoy!
Cat & Cloud Podcast
This week we dig into The Predictive Index and how tools like it can help leaders better understand the people on their team. Instead of guessing at strengths, motivations, or communication styles, PI creates a clearer picture of how someone naturally works — and how to set them up for success. We talk about why these insights matter, how they can guide hiring and coaching, and where they fit alongside culture, values, and real-world performance.
At its core, this episode is about using data to support people, not define them. PI isn’t a shortcut or a replacement for good leadership; it’s a way to communicate better, set clearer expectations, and build teams that function with more empathy and alignment. When leaders combine tools like this with strong values and intentional culture, they create workplaces where people actually thrive.
🔗 Links –
The Predictive Index:
https://www.predictiveindex.com/
Cat & Cloud:
Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/
Webstore www.catandcloud.com/
We are Cat & Cloud Coffee. Started by three friends trying to pursue their passions with the mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, and we created this podcast to continue forming those connections inside and out of our cafes.
The Cat & Cloud podcast was created as a space for us to share our experiences in the coffee industry and starting a business. Each week we sit down to talk about new challenges as business owners, how we utilize our mission and values to make decisions, and answer questions from our listening community. If you’re looking to expand your coffee knowledge, get some advice for your own small business, or just like the vibes, give us a listen!
Enjoy!
