As for Michael: He was the hyper-controller. Tom wasn't even his consigliere as Tom was with Vito.
The exception to this is the period when Michael was going to Miami, Cuba and New York when he made Tom the acting Don. I think the whole Geary set up was Tom's doing.
"Io sono stanco, sono imbigliato, and I wan't everyone here to know, there ain't gonna be no trouble from me..Don Corleone..Cicc' a port!"
