I have to agree with David.

Most programmers I have worked with, given free reign, would never finish a project. They would spend their time evaluating new toys and technology. They would never get a project beyond 90% complete before they saw or heard about some new technology that they would just have to learn and incorporate. If they ever did manage to get a system into production, it would be guaranteed to be completely different than any other system in place, and would only be compliable on their workstation because of some special tool that they installed.

In general, programmers need competent managers to make them successful. Without managers setting firm guidelines, they would not accomplish much useful work for their employers.

The only time they get over this handicap is when you put them in charge of other programmers. Then they get religion.