Synonyms and related words :
A per se, Mahdi, ace, ancestor, announcer, antecedent, antetype, antitype, archetype, avant-garde, bell cow, bell mare, bellwether, biotype, born leader, boss, buccinator, bushwhacker, champion, charismatic leader, chief, choirmaster, choragus, classic example, commander, conductor, coryphaeus, criterion, dean, duce, epitome, explorer, file leader, forebear, foregoer, forerunner, front runner, frontiersman, fugler, genius, genotype, groundbreaker, guide, harbinger, head, herald, higher-up, imitatee, innovator, inspired leader, laureate, lead, lead runner, leader, leader of men, master, messenger, messiah, mirror, model, nonpareil, original, pacemaker, pacesetter, paradigm, paragon, pathfinder, pattern, pioneer, point, precedent, precentor, precursor, predecessor, principal, prodigy, prototype, representative, ringleader, rule, ruler, scout, senior, standard, standard-bearer, star, stormy petrel, superior, superman, superstar, symphonic conductor, the greatest, the most, top dog, torchbearer, trailblazer, trailbreaker, type, type species, type specimen, urtext, vanguard, vaunt-courier, virtuoso, voortrekker