The Multiplying Effect, Part II: The Power of Staying One Step Ahead

In the first part of this series, we explored the Multiplying Effect—the conviction that your career will grow proportionally to the expanding effect of your professional actions. In this blog, we build on that foundation with a principle that accelerates this effect: Staying One Step Ahead.

Whether you are a consultant, team leader, analyst, or entrepreneur, the ability to anticipate and act before you are asked is a hallmark of high performers. It is more than just being proactive—it is about being strategically proactive. This subtle shift can transform how clients perceive your value and how supervisors assess your potential.

What Does “One Step Ahead” Look Like?

You can be one step ahead in simple, straightforward ways. For example:

• Adding a thought before it is requested: In meetings, this could mean offering a relevant insight or framing a question that helps clarify the path forward. It shows that you are engaged and thinking ahead.
• Delivering a product a day early: Timeliness is appreciated, but early delivery signals control, reliability, and respect for others’ time. It also creates space for feedback and iteration.
• Anticipating client needs: Seek to understand your client’s business deeply enough to foresee their next challenge or opportunity, and you will become more than a service provider—you become a strategic and trusted partner.
• Under-promising and over-delivering: This classic technique helps you manage risk and impress your stakeholders. When you consistently exceed expectations, trust builds rapidly.

Each of these actions creates a ripple effect. They help anticipate and prevent problems. They will help you redefine and exceed expectations.

Why It Works

Staying one step ahead works because it shifts the dynamic from reactive to proactive. Many professionals operate in response mode: they wait for instructions, feedback, or deadlines. But those who anticipate and act early create momentum. They reduce friction, increase trust, and often become indispensable.

From a psychological standpoint, this behavior signals ownership. It shows that you care about outcomes, not just tasks. This trait is golden in environments where leadership is looking for future managers or partners.

The Multiplying Effect in Action

Imagine each “one step ahead” moment as a multiplier:

• You deliver early → client is impressed → they refer you to others.
• You anticipate a supervisor’s concern → they see you as reliable → you’re invited to lead a new initiative.
• You add a strategic insight → the team pivots successfully → your reputation grows.

These wins compound. Over time, they create a career trajectory that is exponential instead of linear.

But It Can Be Hard

Like many career suggestions, this one is hard to master. In my career, I have often been overwhelmed by multiple and competing deadlines and requests, inefficiencies – mine or my team’s or even our client’s (think delays in getting information from them in time) – or simple bureaucracy. Do not let that dissuade you from trying: one initiative in a meeting, one early delivery, or one timely recommendation can make a positive difference. The more you do it, the easier it gets and the easier you can get back to the habit when you falter. 

Final Thoughts

Staying one step ahead is not about perfection, so do not get “bogged down” trying to achieve it. It is about intention, so make it a habit, one step at a time, and do not quit when you falter. Choose to lead even when you are not in charge. Seek to see the next move before others do and act with confidence and care.

In your career, these moments add up. They build trust, open doors, and accelerate growth. The help you build your Multiplying Effect: they don’t just move you forward—they launch you ahead.