spearheading

Driving the effort

Spearheading is leading or initiating something, especially a campaign, movement, or effort.

The image is of the pointed tip of a spear—the first part to make contact: She's spearheading the company's expansion into Asia.

The term implies both leadership and forward momentum.

pioneering

trailblazing

Being the first through

groundbreakingIntroducing radical new ideas
pathfindingCalculating efficient travel routes
innovatingCreating original methods

exploring · discovering · breakthrough · disruption · transformation · advancement · invention · first-mover · vanguard · cutting-edge

leadership

leading

Guiding or pacing type

commandingExerting strong authority
directingOverseeing a production
guidingLeading toward destination

heading · steering · captaining · championing · fronting · helming · masterminding · orchestrating · coordinating · mobilizing

military

charge

Cost or accusation

thrustForceful forward motion
assaultViolent offensive act
attackAggressive act against another

offensive · advance · vanguard · formation · flank · battalion · infantry · cavalry · raid · sortie

initiative

campaign

Organized effort toward goal

effortApplied energy toward goals
movementChange in position
crusadeZealous effort for change

endeavor · operation · enterprise · project · venture · undertaking · push · charge · drive · mission

Categories

advocacypetition, advocating, protest sign, championing, picket sign
initiativetake action, taking initiative, go for it, initiating, take the lead
taking the reinstaking charge, leading, directing, steering, guiding
front-runnersfront-runner, frontrunner, leader, first place, top spot

Opposites

leadership position

spearheadingfollowing

Coming after another

trailing · bringing up the rear · tagging along · taking a back seat · subordinating

initiative and agency

spearheadingobstructing

Blocking forward movement

hindering · holding back · waiting · impeding · blocking

Family

head, spear, spearhead, spearmint, spearheads, spearheaded, spearmen

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G