I always kind of did that, too. It actually worked out well for me as I was starting my career. Having a mentor who can take you under their wing and promote your career helps enormously when you are getting started.

To an extent, I outgrew that behavior. When you are outside the university environment, you will have far fewer opportunities for those kinds of interactions. As you get older, you also get better at seeing people's negative qualities, which can help cut down on the idealization.

I have no idea what you call it. Your take on it seems pretty dead on. Just being aware of it can help a lot. Do you see any signs of this kind of people pleasing in your other relationships?