On the one hand shepherding involves caring for the sheep, protecting them, making sure their needs are met. It is also true that a shepherd directs the sheep where to go and does what is necessary to help the sheep produce a living for him. As human shepherd leaders we tend to emphasize either one aspect or the other. The main focus of the shepherd illustration is to show how Jesus intimately knows, loves and meets the needs of each member of His flock, but sometimes there is a false image of this shepherd. Many leaders have an incomplete understanding of what a shepherd actually does.
Shepherds care for their sheep but also expect to make a living.
Of course the sheep that are most productive are those which have the right amount and type of nutrition, water, shelter, protection, love and affection. That could seem like a contradiction. On the one hand the rod and staff are instruments of protection for the flock, but on the other hand, they are instruments for disciplining and directing the sheep. Good shepherds must also know how to cull the unproductive members of the flock so that they do not drain resources from the productive sheep. When disciples began leaving because his teaching became too difficult he simply asked the rest of the disciples if they wanted to leave too.