What does this quote mean. I need a better understanding. Please help. The shephard always tries to persuade the sheep that their interests and his own are the same. -Stendal?

I believe this quote is trying to say a leader will try to tell others that their views and goals are both the same even if the ways they go about them are different. The shephard-sheep analogy is used because the sheep are not always willing to follow the shepherd (imagine being pushed around while all the good food is right under your feet). The sheep might not like being herded, but the shepherd does it for their safety and well being.

Another example, take a mother and a child ready to go to the child's soccer game. The child does not want to eat their vegetables and wants to go to his game immediately, but the mother tells the child that by eating his vegetables he will do better at his soccer game than if they leave without him eating them. The mother tries to get her child to see the benefits of her solution and how they come to the same or even better conclusion then the child's.

I hope that helps!