Have you ever had a manager who always knew what was best for you? Someone who acted like they were a parent to you and believed that everyone in the team was part of a family. Someone who showed their disappointment when you acted against their advice, whether you asked them for it or not. Someone who constantly asked you to trust them and liked to speak about the achievements they enabled for you. Someone who was quick to point out the issues in other teams and express surprise about issues in their own. Someone you grew attached to because you seemed to be getting the right gains at the moments when you were beginning to question the power dynamics. I think there is a term that young people use these days for someone who exhibits these traits in relationships. (If anyone knows, please write it in the comments.) A term, I believe, is equally apt for such managers. Being an adult is about taking your own decisions. And for most white-collar professionals, you are an adult long before you start working. There will always be someone trying to take advantage of you, to make a quick buck, or even playing a longer con. Trust yourself, trust your instincts, trust the decades of experience you have about people before you even started at your first job. It is okay to disappoint your parents. It is definitely okay to disappoint your manager. You are the only one who can do what's best for you!