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Lead tones often differ from rhythm tones, especially for hard rock/metal genres. For jazz and blues, where the rhythm guitar tone is often dark and warm, the lead tone has more brightness and bite to stand out. For metal, rhythm guitars are often treble-boosted into distortion, getting a very tight and biting sound, which is harsh when applied to higher-register leads. A fatter, warmer tone is more desirable to sound sweet instead of harsh, achieved by disabling boosts and/or using the neck instead of bridge pickup. Also, lead tones tend to have greater emphasis on midrange than rhythm tones.
Effects-wise, leads are very often enhanced with [[Delay|delay]] and [[Reverb|reverb]] to make them sound more natural, sweeter, and spacious. Chorus or other [[Modulation Effects|Chorus or other modulation]] can be used to help leads stand out where they don't otherwise do so (playing in the same register as the rhythm; using fewer notes than common for solo's).
Many amplifiers provide a '''solo boost''' accessible via footswitch. This typically provides +2 - +6 db of volume, which helps to have your leads stand out above the mix.