Every November, thousands of federal leaders, A/E/C firms, and mission-driven small businesses gather for the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Small Business Conference (SBC). This year, Steward Your Business (SYB) is stepping into SBC with a single, clear mission:
👉 Strengthen the leaders who deliver America’s federal projects.
As we prepare for Phoenix and head toward 2026, our focus at SYB has never been more aligned, intentional, or necessary.
Federal agencies need strong teams. Prime contractors need reliable partners. Small businesses need clarity, confidence, and leadership capacity to grow.
And that’s where SYB stands ready to serve.
🌟 The Mission Ahead: Helping Small Businesses Win Through Leadership
“Organizations don’t rise to the level of their goals; they fall to the level of their systems.” — James Clear
In the A/E/C federal marketplace, most companies don’t struggle due to a lack of technical ability. They struggle because of:
- unclear communication
- overloaded PMs
- inconsistent leadership
- rapid growth without structure
- field/office misalignment
- talent gaps and retention issues
- the pressure of federal expectations
As Patrick Lencioni would say, these aren’t strategy problems — they’re organizational health problems.
At SBC, SYB is showing up to solve them.
🔧 What SYB Brings to Federal Small Businesses
1. Leadership Development for PMs, APMs, and Technical Teams
David Drucker teaches us that every business challenge is, first and foremost, a leadership challenge. Small businesses require leaders who can think critically, make informed decisions, and communicate effectively at a higher level.
SYB develops exactly that.
2. Team Alignment for Predictable Delivery
According to Jeremie Kubicek, “100 percent leadership starts with self-awareness.” SYB utilizes TEAM Communication Styles®, 5 Voices, and the Peace Index to construct teams that trust one another and collaborate proactively.
3. Operational Systems That Scale
Darren Hardy reminds us: “You don’t need more goals. You need better execution.” SYB unlocks execution by installing meeting rhythms, SOPs, accountability structures, and clear communication loops.
4. Support for A/E/C Firms Pursuing Federal Readiness
Whether a firm is entering the federal space or expanding its portfolio, SYB helps teams become:
- client-ready
- federally compliant
- high-performing
- mission-aligned
- prepared for growth
5. A Values-Aligned Leadership Ethos
As Simon Sinek teaches: “The goal is not to do business with everyone who needs what you have. The goal is to do business with people who believe what you believe.”
SYB believes in service, stewardship, integrity, and lifting others. At SAME SBC, we’re seeking partners who share those values.
🚀 Our Goal for SAME SBC 2025
As we connect with federal program leaders, primes, and fellow small businesses, our goals are simple:
✔ Strengthen the backbone of federal A/E/C delivery — people
âś” Support small businesses in growing with confidence and clarity
âś” Build partnerships that create stability, capacity, and trust
âś” Help firms reduce risk and improve performance through leadership
âś” Empower the next generation of PMs and technical leaders
We aren’t showing up to sell. We are showing up to serve.
The Call to 2026: Lead With Stewardship
2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for small business contracting. Competition is increasing. Expectations are rising. Talent pressure continues to intensify.
The small businesses that thrive in 2026 will be the ones that invest in:
- leadership
- communication
- team culture
- clarity
- execution systems
- federal-ready structure
As Brené Brown reminds us: “Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.”
SYB helps leaders and teams become crystal clear — about expectations, communication, priorities, and culture.
And clear teams win.
📍 If You’re Attending SAME SBC
Let’s connect in Phoenix. Whether you’re a small business owner, an A/E/C leader, a federal program manager, or a prime looking for stronger partners — I’d like to meet, listen, and support how you’re building into 2026.
📧 rfp@stewardyourbusiness.com, Phone: 909-404-9865, or Connect with me on LinkedIn
2026 starts now. Let’s create it together — through stewardship, excellence, and leadership that lasts.