Opinion: Does experience outweigh accomplishment?

The municipal election is taking place on October 26^th, 2026. We have many incumbents asking for our vote. Does experience outweigh accomplishment?

Like many Canadians, I am anxiously awaiting the midterm elections in the United States. The party that controls the House of Representatives and the Senate will have a decisive impact not just on American domestic policy, but also on its foreign agenda. Since Donald Trump has essentially vanquished anyone in the Republican Party who challenges him, many are hoping a strong field of Democratic candidates will mount an effective opposition and constrain his reckless agenda of tariffs, protectionism and rabid nationalism.

One might naturally expect Democratic candidates to simply fall in line behind existing incumbents. Such is not the case. Thus far, challengers have scored major upsets in primary races in states such as New York and Michigan. Two long-time Democratic congressmen in New York failed to win their party’s nomination.

While watching CNN, I listened to Massachusetts Democratic candidate Patrick Roath, who is running against long-term, twenty-five-year incumbent Congressman Stephen Lynch. Lynch alleged that his opponent lacked the experience necessary to do the job. Roath refuted him with a simple statement:

“There’s a real difference between experience and accomplishment”.

Experience vs. Accomplishment: What’s the Difference?

Experience refers to the duration of accumulated practice, skill or knowledge in a subject. Accomplishment, on the other hand, is a tangible result, milestone or victory that demonstrates the successful application of that experience.

Experience may confirm that someone has occupied a role or position for a lengthy period, but accomplishments attest to the delivery of specific value or outcomes. Experience is often internal and qualitative—the skills acquired over time—while accomplishments speak to external and measurable results. Experience tells us that someone has done something for a prolonged period; accomplishment tells us how well they did it.

In a professional context, being experienced suggests that someone is skilled and reliable. Being accomplished means they have a proven track record of significant achievement.

Local Applicability

With the municipal election barely two months away, many incumbents will cite their experience as a major reason they deserve re-election. But how do we assess the value of that experience, particularly when the work accomplished is usually a collective effort?

For instance, a local councillor or mayor might claim that during their tenure they were responsible for the construction of a library, road or art gallery. Yet their vote to approve the expenditure was only one of several expressions of support. They didn’t design the building. They didn’t secure the approvals. They certainly didn’t construct it. They probably showed up for the opening and availed themselves of the photo opportunity. But celebrating success isn’t accomplishment.

Similarly, many proposals and agenda items brought before Council are directed by the mayor and CAO. The background research and recommendations presented to Council are the result of work completed by municipal public servants. If a councillor moves an amendment that is subsequently adopted, that is certainly a credit for which they deserve acknowledgement. More often than not, however, that is the exception rather than the norm.

Municipal politicians also frequently remind us that they are responsive to residents’ needs. In the context of Burlington City Council, I might be tempted to suggest that this is more illusory than real. There is a significant difference between “listening to residents’ needs”, “hearing residents’ needs” and “being responsive to residents’ needs.”

When, for example, was the last time you heard someone delegating at City Hall being told, “That was a good idea, and I recommend we implement it”? Again, the exception, not the rule.

Another refrain I hear from incumbents is that they work hard. I absolutely agree. But lots of people work hard—perhaps even harder. Nurses work hard. So do PSWs, shift workers and first responders.

I’m less impressed by people who say they work hard than I am by people who work effectively. Accomplishing a great deal in a limited timeframe, ploughing through a mountain of work with little external support, or succeeding in the face of significant personal and family obstacles is impressive. Less impressive is someone simply doing their job with a phalanx of aides and officials supporting them.

To be continued …