Special Leads

Direct-Address Lead
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009990787_jaffe04.html
This lead is very fitting for the story. The story is essentially comparing relationships to investing funds. I don't think very much improvement could come fromt the lead. The story works because it draws you with personality. I don't think another lead would have worked better due to the way he introduces the story. A summary news lead would have lost the personal level on which the story relates with people.

Narrative Lead
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010001258_brier05.html
I think the narrative lead does well with a story like this. It gives a history for the story that makes it unique, something you wouldn't feel quite as much if there wasn't a narration at the beginning. I don't think the lead needed to be improved and a summary lead would have lost the unique feel of the story. Other special leads could have worked just as well.