Aligning Leadership to Unlock Sustainable Growth
Sherman’s had strong leaders but lacked alignment after rapid growth. Focused leadership development clarified direction and improved performance across the organization.
The Business | Sherman's
- Long-established regional furniture, mattress & appliance retailer
- Around 200 employees in Central Illinois
The Challenge
“We had clearly hit a plateau. The business was healthy, but momentum had stalled, and it wasn’t obvious what would take us to the next level.”
Sherman’s reached a pivotal moment after several years of disruption and growth.
- Rapid COVID-era growth created operational strain
- A new enterprise point-of-sale system added complexity
- Leadership systems lagged behind the pace of growth
- Risk of burnout, cultural drift, and stalled momentum
The Goals
“We had a strong leadership team and good people in place, but we could sense that something was missing. We lacked clarity around how to evolve as leaders and as a team in a way that would unlock the next phase of growth.”
Sherman’s leadership team wanted clarity, alignment, and sustainability. Specifically, they needed to:
- Build a cohesive, aligned leadership team
- Create shared values and a common leadership language
- Establish clear expectations and accountability across the organization
- Develop leaders who could think long-term while driving present-day performance
The Approach
“The process was thoughtful, structured, and grounded in trust.”
The engagement blended structured learning, in-person alignment, and ongoing coaching.
Foundation
- Online course focused on stress, conflict, and team dynamics
In-Person Alignment
- Two on-site leadership workshops
- Focused on values, behaviors, and how leaders worked together
Ongoing Executive Coaching
- Monthly one-on-one coaching with each leader
- Reinforced accountability and leadership growth over time
The Results
“Leaders are more intentional about developing others, and we’ve created frameworks that support both performance and culture as the business continues to grow.”
The work created clarity, confidence, and momentum across the organization.
Leadership & Culture
- Clear articulation of core values and behaviors
- Go-zone / no-zone decision criteria
- Shift toward a deliberately developmental culture
Strategy & Succession
- Five-year strategy statement guiding decision-making
- Early, intentional CEO succession planning
Business Impact
- Stronger leadership alignment
- Clearer role expectations
- More consistent accountability
- Improved customer satisfaction ratings
- Greater efficiencies drive profitability
Lasting Impact
“This work has changed how we lead – not just what we do. It’s helped us slow down enough to get aligned, then move forward with real clarity and purpose.”
- Leadership development embedded into daily operations
- Succession planning progressing smoothly
- Culture supports both people and performance
Now in their fourth year of coaching, Sherman’s continues to deepen its leadership practice.
“Lucent Leadership consistently asks the right questions, surfaces blind spots we didn’t always see ourselves, and does it in a way that’s never judgmental.”
Note: The initial engagement included Eliska Smith Padilla as a part of the approach and solution.