I'm a simple man when it comes to this. For me and my leads (live or studio) I've always used the same sound, for the most part. If I have a simple way to just get a little boost on the leads within the channel I'm using for rhythm, then that's it. If I have 2 OD channels on the head with separate volumes, then I'll voice them as much alike as I can, choose a lead channel, make that just a touch louder. I never even use my neck pickup for leads.
When tracking other guitarist, I try to go with whatever is comfortable for them, then reamp later, if it's terrible. If I have to reamp, then I try to just give them a better version of what they were looking for. As a lead guitarist, I have to say that even if your tone is as simple as mine, it's usually very important to you that it comes across the way you hear it in your head. I want the lead guitar player to be just as happy with his lead tone as the drummer is with the snare sound.