Solving problems individually is overrated

We place a lot of importance on being able to solve problems “individually”.

Working individually means not collaborating with other people or with their ideas (whether in the form of tools, advice, methodologies, etc.). Therefore, this form of individual work involves a huge opportunity cost: you have to build everything from scratch (starting from inventing the wheel).

The reality is that we are always collaborating when we work. Even if you are alone in an office all day, you are collaborating with other people’s ideas that enhance your ability to solve problems.

What we really value is a person’s individual ability to solve problems by collaborating with other people’s ideas.