Make Lead Type and Status easy to see (top of profile) and easy to change (from Deal page).
On the Deal view you should have the Lead Status (example: contacted, not contacted, interested, closing phase, closed etc) on each of the Contact boxes (small as they are it is okay). Should allow an easy to change drop down menu to move the Contact from "cold" to "hot" Status.
Otherwise this involves a lot of clicks and digging around to find the info.