Dominance: Who takes on the leadership?
In a D/s relationship, the dominant part takes on the control, either as a male Dom or Master or as a female Domme or Mistress. The submissive partner submits himself to the Dom/me and gives his partner the complete power over his sexuality. This happens with a previous mutual agreement and consent of both sides. Most times, the “slave” picks his own master or mistress and not the other way around.
The dominant part can appear selfish, but should never be fully focussed on only themselves. A Mistress or Master has responsibility for the wellbeing of his sub and his or her proper training and discipline. The dominant part also has to make sure there’s a safe and stable setting in which the submissive part can perform his or her duties, serving the dominant partner.
Dominance can stand on its own, without SM. It can show itself calm and “quietly” and does not always have to end in spanking. Sometimes a sub just enjoys kneeling in front of his dominant or mistress to pleasure them.
Important is, that in BDSM dominance has nothing to do with violence. Serious doms would never want to cause actual, violent pain to their subs. Pain from punishment (like spanking, for example) is always received voluntary and with consent and has absolutely nothing to do with real, malicious and pointless violence.
The dominant partner decides over the submissive partner. How far this goes depends on the specific type of their relationship.
In an EPE (Erotic Power Exchange) relationship model, the dom holds power over the subs sexuality. In a TPE (Total Power Exchange) relationship, the dom has complete power over the sub in general, even in not sexual matters.
Of course D/s can also be performed temporarily, for the duration of a SM session, with both partners resuming their regular relationship on eye level afterward.
A popular D/s relationship is a FLR or Female Led Relationship. Here, the dominant part is the woman or wife. The relationship still happens on eye level to a small degree, as the man or husband is not seen as her slave. However, the woman holds power, decides direction and has control over the sexuality of the man.