Some of the most lasting lessons in leadership don’t come from big turning points, but from small moments early in a career.

As a PhD student, I was once invited to consult for a major telecoms company. To my surprise, I was paid the same fee as the senior professors. It was a modest gesture, but it carried weight. I hadn’t yet built a career or reputation, but I was treated with the same respect and recognition as those much further along. That simple act of fairness gave me confidence that has stayed with me ever since.

Recognition matters—not just because it feels good in the moment, but because it shapes how people see themselves and the contribution they believe they can make. Small, fair gestures early in a career can spark lasting motivation and confidence.

I often return to this experience when thinking about how we design institutional policies in higher education. In the end, fairness is expressed less through statements and more through the everyday decisions leaders make—decisions that reflect consistency, respect and perspective.