set the pace (for)

if someone sets the pace in a particular activity, they do it very well or very quickly and other people try to do the same (often + for )

• America's reforms have set the pace for European finance ministers.
• For many years this company has set the pace in the communications industry.

***

to do something that establishes a standard

• What institutions set the pace for TV news?
• Our company is setting the pace for flexibility and responsiveness in the industry.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of set the pace (to establish the speed at which a group moves)

... http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/set+the+pace