Leadership-A New Level

I learned an unexpected lesson today with Chase.  I ran out of knowledge, and went 'WHACK!' after I asked him to move off, harder than I have before.  Actually, it was more of "WHACK WHACK WHACK"  until he really got out of my way.  I stopped, absolutely horrified with myself, only to find my horse looking at me with a 'you're the coolest person ever!' look on his face.  Hmm.  How interesting.
It's one of those moments when you realize exactly what hasn't been working, and why it hadn't been working.  I haven't been the leader my horse has needed me to be these past few months.  The reason we'd been having issues with him standing still during saddling, puffing during it, and the crookedness of the cloverleaf and disconnection during riding has been because the relationship hasn't been where it needs to be. 
As soon as that clicked, when I got on his back, everything was better.  I changed my attitude, and suddenly even my riding was easier-because I was focused.  Wow.  Still processing this.