bell cow
Clanging cattle leader
A bell cow is the lead cow in a herd, fitted with a bell so the others can follow.
The term extends to anyone or anything that leads or sets the pace for others: She's the bell cow of the industry.
In sports, a bell cow running back carries the primary workload for a team's offense.
leadership
First to forge ahead
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- pathfinderOne who discovers routes
- frontrunnerLeading candidate or competitor
- trendsetterOne who initiates styles
pacesetter · influencer · standard-bearer · forerunner · bellwether · guide · mentor · exemplar
trailblazer
First to forge ahead
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- pathfinderOne who discovers routes
- frontrunnerLeading candidate or competitor
trendsetter · pacesetter · influencer · standard-bearer · forerunner · bellwether · guide · mentor · exemplar · role model
herd
Grazing animals together
bovine · heifer · dairy · calves · steer · branding · roundup · corral · rancher · stockyard
- backfieldfullback, halfback, quarterback, tailback, running back