Leading vs. Trailing: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Leading is being at the front or in charge, while trailing is following behind or being in last place.
Key Differences
Leading, in its essence, involves being at the forefront, whether in a race, industry, or trend. It signifies a position ahead of others, guiding or directing from the front. Trailing, in contrast, implies being at the end or following behind. It often carries the connotation of not being in a leading position, whether in a literal or figurative sense.
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Nov 08, 2023
In business, a company described as leading is often dominant in its market, setting standards and trends for others to follow. A trailing company might be one that is following the market trends, possibly struggling to keep up with the leading competitors. While the leading entity sets the pace, the trailing one reacts to it.
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Nov 08, 2023
When discussing financial terms, leading can refer to indicators or metrics that precede economic trends, suggesting predictive qualities. Trailing indicators, however, provide information based on past data, showing what has already occurred. Thus, leading indicators can influence decision-making, while trailing indicators are often used for analysis of past performance.
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Nov 08, 2023
In a race, the leading participant is the one in the front, potentially dictating the strategy of the race. The trailing runner is the one behind, who may need to strategize differently to catch up or overtake the leading participant. The positions of leading and trailing can change frequently during the competition, indicating the dynamic nature of such events.
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Nov 08, 2023
In typography, leading refers to the space between lines of text, which affects readability. There is no direct typographical term for trailing, but one might consider the 'margin' or 'footer' of a page as the trailing elements since they follow after the main body of the text. In both cases, the design and layout are crucial for the document's overall presentation.
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Comparison Chart
Business Connotation
Market leader, innovative
Market follower, less dominant
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Financial Indicators
Predictive of future trends
Reflective of past performance
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Leading and Trailing Definitions
Leading
Leading the process of guiding or being in charge.
She was leading the team through the project.
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Trailing
Trailing means coming after something else in sequence.
The young athlete was trailing the pack.
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Nov 08, 2023
Leading
Leading in typography refers to the vertical space between lines of text.
Adjust the leading to improve the document's readability.
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Nov 08, 2023
Trailing
Trailing can denote lagging in performance or status.
The software company is trailing its competitors in sales.
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Leading
Leading in a race means being in the front.
He was leading the marathon by several minutes.
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Trailing
Trailing plants grow along the ground or extend over edges.
The garden's walls were covered with trailing ivy.
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Leading
Leading can refer to the most advanced position in a field.
Their company is leading in technological innovation.
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Nov 08, 2023
Trailing
To allow to drag or stream behind, as along the ground
The dog ran off, trailing its leash.
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Oct 19, 2023
Leading
Leading involves initiating action or progress.
Leading the way, she set an example for others to follow.
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Nov 08, 2023
Leading
Having a position in the lead; foremost
The leading runner in the race.
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Oct 19, 2023
Leading
Of or performing a principal role in a film, play, show, or other scripted production
A leading role.
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Trailing
To follow behind
Several cruisers trailed by an escorting destroyer.
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Oct 19, 2023
Trailing
To lag behind (an opponent)
Trailed the league leader by four games.
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Oct 19, 2023
Trailing
To drag or be dragged along, brushing the ground
The queen's long robe trailed behind.
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Oct 19, 2023
Trailing
To extend, grow, or droop loosely over a surface
Vines trailing through the garden.
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Leading
To show the way to by going in advance
The host led us to our table.
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Trailing
To become gradually fainter; dwindle
His voice trailed off in confusion.
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Oct 19, 2023
Trailing
To walk or proceed with dragging steps; trudge
Trailed along in glum silence.
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Oct 19, 2023
Leading
To be a channel or conduit for (water or electricity, for example).
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Oct 19, 2023
Trailing
To be behind in competition; lag
Trailing by two goals in the second period.
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Oct 19, 2023
Leading
To guide the behavior or opinion of; induce
Led us to believe otherwise.
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Trailing
A marked course through one or more bodies of water, as for recreational boaters or divers.
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Leading
To play a principal or guiding role in
Lead a discussion.
Led the antiwar movement.
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Leading
To go or be at the head of
The queen led the procession. My name led the list.
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Trailing
The scent of a person or animal
The dogs lost the trail of the fox.
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Oct 19, 2023
Trailing
Something that is drawn along or follows behind; a train
The mayor was followed by a trail of reporters.
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Leading
To be foremost in or among
Led the field in nuclear research.
Led her teammates in free throws.
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Trailing
A succession of things that come afterward or are left behind
Left a trail of broken promises.
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Trailing
Something that hangs loose and long
Trails of ticker tape floated down from office windows.
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Oct 19, 2023
Leading
(Sports) To pass a ball or puck ahead of (a moving teammate) so that the player can receive the pass without changing direction or losing speed.
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Oct 19, 2023
Trailing
The pursuit (of a person or animal) by following tracks or marks they left behind
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Leading
To afford a passage, course, or route
A road that leads over the mountains.
A door leading to the pantry.
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Trailing
Having the lower score or lagging position in a contest;
Behind by two points
The 8th inning found the home team trailing
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Leading
To tend toward a certain goal or result
A remark that led to further discussion.
Policies that led to disaster.
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Oct 19, 2023
Trailing
Trailing refers to hanging or dragging behind.
The wedding gown had a long trailing veil.
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Nov 08, 2023
Trailing
Trailing in finance refers to metrics based on past data.
Investors examined the company's trailing annual returns.
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Nov 08, 2023
Leading
To begin a presentation or account in a given way
The announcer led with the day's top stories.
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Oct 19, 2023
Leading
(Baseball) To advance or stand a few paces away from one's base toward the next while the pitcher prepares to deliver a pitch. Used of a base runner.
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Oct 19, 2023
Leading
(Sports) To begin an attack in boxing with a specified hand or punch
Led with a right to the body.
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Leading
The margin by which one holds a position of advantage or superiority
Held a lead of nine points at the half.
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Leading
Information pointing toward a possible solution; a clue
Followed a promising lead in the murder case.
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Leading
An indication of potential opportunity; a tip
A good lead for a job.
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Leading
An example; a precedent
Followed his sister's lead in running for office.
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Leading
The principal role in a film, play, show, or other scripted production.
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Leading
The introductory portion of a news story, especially the first sentence.
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Leading
The prerogative or turn to make the first play
The lead passes to the player on the left.
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Oct 19, 2023
Leading
(Baseball) An amount of space that a base runner moves or stands away from one base in the direction of the next while the pitcher prepares to deliver a pitch.
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Oct 19, 2023
Leading
(Sports) A blow in boxing that begins a series or exchange of punches.
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Leading
(Electronics) A conductor by which one circuit element is electrically connected to another.
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Oct 19, 2023
Leading
Symbol Pb A soft, malleable, ductile, bluish-white, dense metallic element, extracted chiefly from galena and used in containers and pipes for corrosives, solder and type metal, bullets, radiation shielding, paints, glass, storage batteries, and antiknock compounds. Atomic number 82; atomic weight 207.2; melting point 327.5°C; boiling point 1,749°C; specific gravity 11.35; valence 2, 4. See Periodic Table.
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Leading
Any of various, often graphitic compositions used as the writing substance in pencils.
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Oct 19, 2023
Leading
Providing guidance or direction.
Avoid leading questions if you really want the truth.
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Oct 19, 2023
Leading
Ranking first.
He is a leading supplier of plumbing supplies in the county.
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Leading
Occurring in advance; preceding.
The stock market can be a leading economic indicator.
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Oct 19, 2023
Leading
Guiding; directing; controlling; foremost; as, a leading motive; a leading man; a leading example.
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Oct 19, 2023
Leading
Indicating the most important performer or role;
The leading man
Prima ballerina
Prima donna
A star figure skater
The starring role
A stellar role
A stellar performance
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Leading
Going or proceeding or going in advance; showing the way;
We rode in the leading car
The leading edge of technology
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Leading
Greatest in importance or degree or significance or achievement;
Our greatest statesmen
The country's leading poet
A preeminent archeologist
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Leading
Having the leading position or higher score in a contest;
He is ahead by a pawn
The leading team in the pennant race
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Leading
Purposefully formulated to elicit a desired response;
A leading question
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
How do trailing indicators work in finance?
Trailing indicators in finance analyze historical data to assess past performance.
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Nov 08, 2023
What does leading mean in a competition?
Leading in a competition means being in the first position or ahead of others.
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How does trailing differ from leading in sports?
Trailing in sports refers to being behind the leader or in a lesser position.
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Nov 08, 2023
What is leading space in design?
Leading space in design refers to the spacing between lines of text for readability.
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Is a trailing plant considered a climber?
Some trailing plants can climb, but not all are climbers; some may simply spread across the ground.
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Does trailing always imply failure?
No, trailing does not always imply failure; it can simply indicate a position in a sequence.
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Can a company be both leading and trailing?
A company might be leading in one aspect (like innovation) and trailing in another (such as market share).
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What does leading a team involve?
Leading a team involves setting goals, providing direction, and motivating members.
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Do trailing questions in an interview imply weakness?
Trailing questions are not about weakness; they often seek clarification or additional information.
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Are leading economic indicators reliable?
Leading economic indicators can be reliable, but they are not always accurate predictors.
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Nov 08, 2023
In what way is trailing advantageous in investments?
Trailing can be advantageous by providing a clear view of past performance for better analysis.
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How does trailing vine growth differ from upright plants?
Trailing vines spread horizontally or hang down, while upright plants grow vertically.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can trailing be a strategic position in a race?
Yes, trailing can be strategic, allowing a competitor to conserve energy for a final sprint.
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Nov 08, 2023
How does leading affect group dynamics?
Effective leading can improve group dynamics by providing clear direction and fostering teamwork.
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Nov 08, 2023
What is the significance of leading in a military context?
In the military, leading often refers to the act of commanding and directing troops.
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Nov 08, 2023
What's the importance of leading in a classroom setting?
Leading in a classroom involves teaching and guiding students towards educational goals.
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Nov 08, 2023
How can a business stop trailing the market?
A business can stop trailing by innovating, improving efficiency, or redefining its strategy.
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Nov 08, 2023
Is leading always a positive attribute for a person?
Leading is generally positive, but context matters; poor leadership can have negative effects.
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Nov 08, 2023
What is the role of leading in project management?
In project management, leading involves planning, executing, and guiding a project towards its goals.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can a trailing brand become a leading one?
A trailing brand can become leading through innovation, marketing, and improved offerings.
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Nov 08, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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