"lead to" and "lead something/somebody to"

I am curious that the difference between lead to and lead something/somebody to.

I know the verb lead can be used both intransitive and transitive way.

What I want to know is that lead to, which is synonymous to cause, give rise to has same meaning with lead something to.

Does lead something to have the same meaning with cause and result in?

X lead(s) to Z means if you follow X, you will get to Z.

X lead(s) Y to Z means Y is following X, and X and Y will get to Z.

Both can be used to talk about results or causes.

This leads to disaster.

This will lead your friend to disaster.