Hey Bold Creators!
Sometimes people can say the same words but mean totally different things. But when we slow down to think about why, we can learn a lot about them (and ourselves, too).
In today's newsletter:
⏰ What Ugandans and Americans can learn from each other’s different views of time
📷 Photos from our fundraisers in Arkansas and Florida
🙏 Pray for our 2026 Cohort by name
Thanks for reading.
— Mark Mbayo
Taking Time & Keeping Time
Ugandans and Americans may share English as a common language, but there are “cultural translations” we have to make all the time.
One phrase we often laugh about is, "Take your time."
In Uganda, if someone tells you to take your time, it is interpreted literally. You are giving that person authority over the schedule. Whenever they are ready, you begin. It is an act of grace, saying you matter more to me than the clock.
In the States, "take your time" can sometimes mean the opposite. It is often used as sarcasm or a polite way of expressing impatience. It can really mean, “You’re taking MY time.”
Ugandans have a culture of taking time.
Americans have a culture of keeping time.
Both Are Trying To Show Respect
As I have lived between both worlds, I have come to see that both cultures are actually trying to express respect through time: one by releasing it, one by protecting it.
Uganda lacks a lot of the structures and systems that protect business owners. For instance, bank loan rates in Uganda are often 20-30%. So when entrepreneurs look to other partnerships to fund their ventures, they want to make sure they can trust them. It feels wise to move slow.
In the States, there is more access to capital and funding, but so many options creates competition. That makes time feel like the one resource no one has enough of. So getting straight to business is an attempt to respect each other’s time. It feels wise to move fast.
But when those two approaches collide, the Ugandan can come off as unreliable or distracted, and the American can come off as cold or rude. Neither person intended disrespect. They were both trying to honor the other using their own cultural language.
When we can see that, we can laugh together at the honest miscommunication. And then we can learn from each other.
What Ugandans Can Learn From Americans
When it comes to keeping time and building systems, Ugandans can learn from Americans that:
Time is a resource to be stewarded.
Systems can protect relationships when things go sideways.
Setting targets helps you make progress towards your vision.
The future is something you build toward one intentional decision at a time.
What Americans Can Learn From Ugandans
When it comes to taking time and building relationships, Americans can learn from Ugandans that:
When deadlines get missed, it’s not the end of the world.
Resilience is built when things don’t go according to plan.
A meeting that starts with connection closes with more trust than one that starts with an agenda.
If we are always rushing, we will miss the opportunities that come from being present.
The Value of Cross Culture Learning
Neither culture is perfectly right. Neither is fully wrong. When we try to understand one another, we also better understand ourselves.
That is the gift of cross-cultural exchange.
— Mark Mbayo
Reflection Questions
Is there someone in your life whose way of doing things has always confused you? What might they be trying to communicate that you have not yet realized?
Where in your business are you keeping time when you should be taking it or taking it when you should be keeping it?
📷 Photos From Our Fundraisers
Thank you to all who joined us at our fundraising events in Arkansas and Florida over the past few weeks. It was great to connect with so many of you in person.
The generosity you have all showed Bold Creators continues to blow us away. If you weren’t able to join us, you can still participate by giving online HERE.
Here are a few photos from the events.
Pray for Entrepreneurs
"Father, thank you for the things that make us different. Give us the humility we need to see one another, learn from one another, and love one another."
Our 2026 Cohort is pictured below. Save this photo to your phone and and join us in praying for each of this year’s Bold Creators by name as they lean into this season of learning and development.
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