Throughout my life, I have had many opportunities to be organized into teams. One of my first experiences with teams was playing on a 6th grade basketball team, we named ourselves the Terminators. (Luckily we were good enough to back up our name). Academically, I was put into a lot of teams to get a homework assignment or project done.

Now, professionally at New Dawn I’ve been a part of many teams. This past week we took part in reorganizing our teams for the next development period.  I have one of the unique roles of being on multiple teams throughout these cycles and have found the first (possibly most important) step in the formation of a team is for the team to name itself.  The team name can fit into 4 categories.

Number Four: De Facto Standard. The team overlooks this all important step and winds up being named Team 2, or Team B competing against Team 1 or Team A.   The only benefit is that the team doesn’t have to worry about coming up with a name.  For teams that will be together for a very short time, this can work because there’s no time to get emotionally attached to the name. But for those that last longer, this is devastating to the team’s morale and unity and a huge blow to the team’s creativity.  Who’s going to rally around such a default name as Team B?

Number Three: Funny Business.  The loudest team member comes up with an off the wall (and maybe out of line) name that causes each team member to blush or giggle like a schoolboy. Although some may consider the name to be creative and “outside the box”, it actually becomes a major distraction to the team.  This type of name is indicative of a team that is still in high school, lacks proper leadership, or happens to be having just one of those days.

Number Two: We are Project. The team names itself the same as the project it is working on.  This is a step out of the shadows of poor teams and into the light  with competitive teams.  The team can rally around the current project it is working on and find short term successes.  Unfortunately, this also stifles creativity in the team and a new team name has to be established when new projects are started.  Also, there can be some confusion whether one is talking about the project or the team and can lead to communication meltdowns.

Number One:  Pinball Wizards.  The team aligns itself with a thought-provoking word or phrase that provides guidance and direction for the team.  It is quirky, witty, and creative and lots of other really good things.  It unites the team with a common purpose and rallying cry.  If the team were to accomplish nothing in its life-cycle, it will still be successful on the merit of its name.  Plus, what team doesn’t need a theme song?

What are some of the unique team names you have been a part of?