I hadn't thought of programming this way but it rings true. Call it the "genius complex" or "hacker complex": wanting to create something great alone and in a short timeframe then "unveil" it and bask in praise from peers. Unfortunately for self-approved geniuses and hackers, great things are built incrementally.

"The Myths of Innovation" by Scott Berkun has something to say along these lines but in general terms rather than in terms of programming. Check it out:

http://www.amazon.com/Myths-Innovation-Scott-Berkun/dp/05965...