Automony: A trap or an advantage?

A. Definition of autonomy

Autonomy can be defined as the ability for an individual or entity to make decisions independently, based on their own values, knowledge and goals. Mathieu Nebra, founder of the siteduzero now known as OpenClassRomms, said in 2020 that: 80% of engineers admit to having acquired 70% of their knowledge independently.

It is widely seen as a quality, sometimes at the expense of teamwork among developers. It has been scientifically proven that depending on our ability to be either extraverted or intraverted, we will be more comfortable working independently or in a team. There are always exceptions, but this is a bias that is often observed.

B. Importance of autonomy in society

The importance of autonomy in society turns out to be a crucial element for individual and collective development. The more an individual is going to work on it, the more it will have an impact on society on a large scale.
That is why it is important to know how to get the most out of it when working independently and when working as a team.

Self-reliance can also be seen as a trap because of the increased responsibility that accompanies it. By taking decisions independently without consulting an external opinion, our choices can be biased and sometimes we do not have a 360-degree view of the situation. In my case, for example, I am often faced with doing so even though I have not fully understood what to do where if I am stuck.
I will try to find a solution on my own or to start on a solution before asking for external advice and this may turn out to be a trap because not only am I going to waste time but also, lose confidence because I have not achieved the desired goal.

A. Risk of isolation

Self-reliance can also lead to risks of social isolation, in an increasingly connected world. As far as I am concerned, when I make decisions independently, I may find myself isolated from my community and my social network, which can have adverse consequences for my emotional and mental well-being.
Today, I am trying to make progress on this aspect and really know how to share things in my way of working and it is a very difficult but beneficial exercise for me.

In the Tech job market, 85% of job offers ask candidates to be self-employed and in this percentage, we have 90% of startups. If I had to define in one word what autonomy has brought me, I would say "free will". My training in computer science went through a lot of self-teaching where I learned how to search for solutions myself (which is a great asset as an Engineer...).
The more I worked independently, the more progress I made and the more confidence I had in myself. I've always assumed that everything starts with one head before expanding and growing in a team. And working alone allows me to control what I do and therefore be more productive even though some things may escape us.

• Alexander Frank Pasquel Cajas, Verónica Tomasa Cajas Bravo, Roberto Carlos Dávila Morán, "Remote Work in Peru during the COVID-19 Pandemic", 2023
• Beňo, Michal, "The Advantages and Disadvantages of E-working: An Examination using an ALDINE Analysis", 'Ital Publication', 2021
• Longo, Paulo Jorge Mendes Forte, "A study into telework: its advantages, disadvantages, and future business practices", 2022
• Naina Kumar, "Vaginal contraception: a roadmap to women's reproductive autonomy-a narrative review", 2023