The Lead Object is the database record type in CRM systems like HubSpot that represents potential customers—encoding the problematic practice of treating humans as objects to be processed through mechanical stages.
The Technical Reality
In most CRMs:
- “Lead” is a separate object type
- Different from “Contact” object
- Requires “conversion” to transform
- Creates data fragmentation
- Enforces artificial separation
The Problem
This technical design:
- Treats people as database objects
- Forces artificial categorization
- Creates conversion friction
- Fragments relationship data
- Encodes industrial-age thinking
The Impact
Organizations using Lead Objects:
- Process people mechanically
- Lose context in conversion
- Create handoff friction
- Fragment customer experience
- Build systems fighting natural flow
The Alternative
Some modern systems:
- Use unified person records
- Allow natural progression
- Maintain relationship continuity
- Support human reality
- Enable seamless experience
The Lead Object isn’t just a technical choice—it’s industrial-age thinking encoded in software.