def from_node(index, value):
        """
        >>> SyncState.from_node(1, None).leader is None
        True
        >>> SyncState.from_node(1, '{}').leader is None
        True
        >>> SyncState.from_node(1, '{').leader is None
        True
        >>> SyncState.from_node(1, '[]').leader is None
        True
        >>> SyncState.from_node(1, '{"leader": "leader"}').leader == "leader"
        True
        >>> SyncState.from_node(1, {"leader": "leader"}).leader == "leader"
        True
        """
        if isinstance(value, dict):
            data = value
        elif value:
            try:
                data = json.loads(value)
                if not isinstance(data, dict):
                    data = {}
            except (TypeError, ValueError):
                data = {}
        else:
            data = {}
        return SyncState(index, data.get('leader'), data.get('sync_standby'))