Tessa spotted him at her friend’s rooftop birthday. He was in the middle of a story about getting lost in Lisbon, and eight people were laughing at the exact right spots. He did the voices. He did the hand gestures. He was the sun of that rooftop, and he knew it.
Half the women there were circling. Tessa stood by the railing with her drink and thought, “Well, I’m not getting in line for that.”
Funny thing. Staying out of line was half of what got him to walk over.
Here’s the short answer. A Leo man notices the woman who really sees him, and he chases the one who seems like a prize he has to win. Admire him with sincerity, bring your own spark and don’t compete for his spotlight. Do that, and he’ll want to cross the room.
Quick quiz: Does he really like you? Take the 60-second quiz »
Understand the Leo Man Before You Try
Leo men are born July 23 to August 22, and the Sun rules this sign. That’s the whole personality in one line. He wants to shine, and he wants people to feel warm around him.
He’s theatrical, and he means every bit of it. When he tells a story, the voices and gestures are real feeling. He wears his heart on his sleeve and gets swept up in big feelings. Under the show, most Leo men are hopeless romantics.
Leo also gets a bad reputation. Some women call him arrogant or selfish. In my experience, it’s usually a lot of passion plus a very tender ego. He reacts big, and he gets misread a lot. If you “get” that, you’re already ahead of most of the women at that party.
4 Ways to Make a Leo Man Chase You
- Notice his show, and let him know it landed. Leo men love attention, so finding his passion is easy. Is it his music? His business? His cooking? Watch what he’s proud of, then tell him. “The Lisbon story was great. The part about the tram driver killed me.” He picks up on little signals fast, and a woman who clearly noticed him goes straight onto his radar.
- Be the best version of yourself. Leos are hard to impress. Attracting women isn’t his problem, so he’s looking for the one who stands out. Be confident for real, and keep a little mystery. Don’t tell him your whole life story on night one. He’s drawn to strong women who don’t need him to feel good, because he’s not going to rearrange his life for anyone. And early on, let a lot of the conversation be about him. That’s what makes him miss you when you’re not around.
- Give sincere compliments and skip the criticism. Leo has a big, sensitive heart. Criticism and fake praise are two of his biggest turn-offs. Look past the flair and praise what he’s truly proud of, whether that’s his brain, his humor or his work ethic. But don’t be a yes-woman. He wants someone who can challenge him in a good way and push him to grow. Just do it with warmth, never with a jab.
- Stay desirable, and only have eyes for him. Leo men take pride in how they look, and they like a woman who does too. He wants to walk in with you and see heads turn. What really gets him, though, is knowing that out of everyone looking, you’re only looking at him. He likes a woman who’s polished in public and a little wild behind closed doors.
How to Get Him to Notice You in the First Place
You don’t need to compete with the crowd around him. Let them fight over the spotlight while you stand a few steps outside it.
Laugh at the part of his story that’s actually funny, and catch his eye when you do. Then go talk to someone else. A Leo man tracks who’s paying attention to him. He also tracks who walked away, and it drives him a little crazy.
When he does come over, ask a real follow-up question. “Wait, did you ever find your hotel?” Most people just laugh. You asked for more, and that tells him you were really listening.
Then leave first. Say goodnight while things are still fun. Tessa left the rooftop at 10:30 with a smile and a “Good luck finding your next hotel.” He found her on Instagram before midnight.
What Turns a Leo Man Off Early
Criticism, even the joking kind. “You sure love the sound of your own voice” might feel like playful teasing. To a Leo, it’s a slap, and he’ll keep his distance from you afterward.
Acting unimpressed on purpose. Some women think playing it cool means ignoring him. Leo reads total indifference as a no, and he doesn’t chase a no. He wants to know you see him, just not that you’re desperate for him.
Negativity. Complaining about your ex, gossiping about the host, rolling your eyes at the music. Leo is a warm fire sign. He wants people who add light to the room, and he quietly steers clear of the ones who drain it.
Manipulation. Leo men sense games and resent them. Show him what you like by how you act, and he’ll try to become that guy.
What You Get When a Leo Man Chases You
Leo men can be demanding, and yes, sometimes self-centered. But the reward for winning one over is big. A Leo who has chosen you is loyal, generous and protective. He’ll plan the birthday party, defend you to anyone and show you off like you’re the best thing he ever found.
If he’s already interested but still won’t make a real move, that’s a different problem. Read how to get a Leo man to chase you for how to shift that dynamic. And once he’s pursuing you, watch for the 7 signs a Leo man is falling in love. With this sign, his flaws come from the same place as his best qualities. Understand what makes him roar and this can last a very long time.
Quick Answers About Leo Men and Attraction
What attracts a Leo man to a woman? Confidence, warmth and real admiration. He likes a woman who stands out and who clearly sees what’s special about him.
How do you get a Leo man’s attention? Notice what he’s proud of and say so, then step back. He’ll come find out why you walked away.
Should I play hard to get with a Leo man? A little. Be busy and a bit mysterious, but never cold. Too much distance reads as rejection to him.
What turns a Leo man off? Criticism, negativity and anyone trying to steal his spotlight in a mean way. Fake flattery bothers him too.
How do I know a Leo man is chasing me? He makes the plans, shows up where you’ll be and gets a little competitive when another man talks to you.
Related Reading
- Does a Leo Man Love You? 7 Signs He’s Falling (Even If He’s Playing It Cool)
- How to Get a Leo Man to Chase You
- How to Make a Leo Man Miss You
- How Does a Leo Man Test a Woman?
- See all our Zodiac Dating Guides »
Understanding Your Leo Man
A Leo man chases the woman who sees him clearly and still keeps a little of her own light to herself.
Still not sure where you stand with your Leo man? My free quiz reads what he’s actually doing and gives you an answer in about a minute.
