diff --git a/backend/app/schemas/approvals.py b/backend/app/schemas/approvals.py
index 80ebadb9..b3e5fa04 100644
--- a/backend/app/schemas/approvals.py
+++ b/backend/app/schemas/approvals.py
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ class ApprovalCreate(ApprovalBase):
     """Payload for creating a new approval request."""
 
     agent_id: UUID | None = None
+    lead_reasoning: str | None = None
 
     @model_validator(mode="after")
     def validate_lead_reasoning(self) -> Self:
@@ -62,6 +63,13 @@ class ApprovalCreate(ApprovalBase):
                 nested_reason = decision.get("reason")
                 if isinstance(nested_reason, str) and nested_reason.strip():
                     return self
+        lead_reasoning = self.lead_reasoning
+        if isinstance(lead_reasoning, str) and lead_reasoning.strip():
+            self.payload = {
+                **(payload if isinstance(payload, dict) else {}),
+                "reason": lead_reasoning.strip(),
+            }
+            return self
         raise ValueError(LEAD_REASONING_REQUIRED_ERROR)
 
 
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_approvals_schema.py b/backend/tests/test_approvals_schema.py
index da7a58ea..b1185414 100644
--- a/backend/tests/test_approvals_schema.py
+++ b/backend/tests/test_approvals_schema.py
@@ -58,3 +58,16 @@ def test_approval_create_accepts_float_confidence() -> None:
         },
     )
     assert model.confidence == 88.75
+
+
+def test_approval_create_accepts_top_level_lead_reasoning() -> None:
+    model = ApprovalCreate.model_validate(
+        {
+            "action_type": "task.update",
+            "confidence": 80,
+            "lead_reasoning": "Need manual review before changing task status.",
+        },
+    )
+    assert model.payload == {
+        "reason": "Need manual review before changing task status.",
+    }