Cat
Risk Manager / Cynic
"Wary of obstacles to success"
About the Cat
The Cat identifies risk. Their job is to identify things that could go wrong. Identifying risks helps the group remove barriers and succeed. The Cat looks for the parts of the project that could fail and analyses interactions for unidentified risks. The Cat values agency in their analysis — they think independently and resist groupthink, with a secondary drive toward competence to ensure risks are assessed accurately.
Psychological Profile
Primary Need (SDT)
Need for agency
Secondary Need (SDT)
Need for Competence
SDT Description
Driven by independent thinking and doing things right. Wants to ensure that risks are controlled and that the group can make informed choices knowing what the risks are in each option. Wants the project to succeed by removing the barrier to success, which can only be done by identifying risks.
Key Behaviors
- Identifies risks and potential failure points
- Looks for things that could go wrong
- Helps the group remove barriers to success
- Analyses interactions for unidentified risks
- Thinks independently and resists groupthink
- Asks the hard questions others avoid
How to Fulfil the Cat Role
- Before committing to a plan, ask 'what could go wrong?'
- Frame criticism constructively: 'I see a risk here' not 'this won't work'
- Create a risk register and review it regularly
- Challenge assumptions respectfully but persistently
- Propose mitigation strategies alongside identified risks
- Remember: the goal is to help the project succeed, not to block ideas
When There Is No Cat
Without a Cat, risks go unidentified. Problems emerge late when they are expensive to fix. The group suffers from groupthink and overconfidence. Quality suffers because no one asks the hard questions.
Multi-classing
In smaller groups, one person may need to cover two roles. Compatibility depends on whether the underlying motivational drives conflict.
Easy Combinations
Cat + Owl
Process control and risk identification are complementary. Both are Agency-primary roles that focus on different aspects of project control — the Owl on structure, the Cat on risk.
Hard Combinations
Cat + Puppy
It is difficult to be both enthusiastic and critical at the same time. The Cat's independent analysis and the Puppy's supportiveness pull in opposite directions, making it hard to do justice to both roles.