Single word for 'being one step ahead of others'

I am looking for synonyms as single words having the meaning of 'being one step ahead of others'.

Solution 1:

Pacesetter is a common term for someone who is in the position you describe.

pace·set·ter noun \ˈpās-ˌse-tər\ : a person who runs ahead of the other runners in a race in order to set a pace

as in, a company that has been a pacesetter in its field for offering health care benefits to employees

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pacesetter

Solution 2:

"Innovator" (or "innovative"), "pioneering", "scout", "trailblazer", "vanguard", or "visionary", depending upon usage.

Solution 3:

One such description is frontrunner — or frontrunning, if you prefer the adjectival form.

Solution 4:

You could say be a notch above the others and be superior (to others).

notch above (someone or something) and a notch better (than someone or something): a little higher in quality than someone or something

superior: of high or higher quality; great or greater in amount, number, or degree; better than other people

be one step ahead : to be slightly better prepared or more successful than someone else (usually + of) Source