Hill isn't simply recommending politeness toward your seniors—he's describing an economic truth: knowledge and guidance are tangible assets that come at a cost, whether paid in attention, gratitude, or reciprocal help. The word "generous" is the telling part; it suggests paying beyond the minimum, understanding that mentorship often goes unrewarded in the moment. When a colleague spends an afternoon teaching you their hard-won skills rather than billing you for consulting time, generosity in return—perhaps by later helping their struggling child with college applications—keeps the cycle of mutual investment alive rather than reducing it to mere transaction.