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Another half-empty Elland Road was forced to sit through a first-half performance so devoid of ideas that Wise must be hoping for a late Christmas present when the January transfer window opens.
Admittedly the hosts were much improved after the break as they piled forward in search of an equaliser, but the Championship table still makes uncomfortable reading for Leeds fans.
Hayden Foxe returned at right-back for Leeds after serving a one-match suspension while on-loan striker Tresor Kandol kept his place in the starting line-up after an impressive display against Barnsley last week.
But there was nothing impressive about Leeds' first-half display as they were out-muscled and out-enthused across the park.
David Healy and Kandol struggled to impose themselves as Wise's side were forced to spend most of the opening stages deep in their own territory defending a string of raids from the Rams.
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Stead's curling cross was met by Barnes at the far post to put the visitors ahead, although how the diminutive wide-man reached the ball ahead of towering centre-backs Matt Heath and Ugo Ehiogu remains a mystery.
United managed just one shot on target during the first 45 minutes, but Foxe's drilled left-footed effort went straight to Derby keeper Stephen Bywater.
Matt Oakley should have doubled the lead midway through the half following another perfect cross from Stead, only to fire the ball high and wide when he looked certain to score.
Good interplay between David Jones and Boertien ten minutes later gave Steve Howard a chance but his looping header sailed over the bar from five yards out.
Leeds improved after the break but Eddie Lewis and Healy both wasted good chances while Robbie Blake was unlucky to see his free-kick hit the side-netting.
How Wise gets his side to react to the challenge of three away games in their next four fixtures could go a long way to deciding their fate this season.