Many submissives I know says "I used to be such a control freak" or "In every other part of my life I'm a control freak."
It is my assertion that that characteristic doesn't change just because someone enters into a power exchange relationship. All that happens is that you channel the control energy differently ... ie, you don't control the Dominant, but you must certainly control yourself and to a large extent, the environment and activities around you in order to 'deliver' what your Dominant expects...whether it's perfect behaviour, anticipation of his needs or making sure that other people do what they need to do in order for his needs to be met.
For example....we're going away this weekend to a private event. Could I have made the hotel reservations after determining the proximity to the event, prepared my attire to his exact stated and unstated expectations (including planning for unexpected things like snags in stockings), made sure that the car was filled with gas, ensured that everything at home (like dogs) will be taken care of in my absence, anticipated and packed things he might enjoy, like massage oil, a flask of single malt, taken care of a gift for the hostess, shaved, printed out the directions and checked the map (several times) to make sure I know where we're going, charged my cellphone and polished his boots if I weren't a control freak?
I find it hard to believe that any submissive who will be there just 'got in the car' and let the Dominant take care of all those things.
You simply cannot serve someone well without great attention to detail ... and that requires control. Think of the best waitresses, the best sales clerks, the best event organizers ... they all serve others, but are in absolute control of all the details.
abi