If you are shooting canon they have traded the ability to manual focus for a brighter image in the viewfinder. Other brands may have done the same.
I avoided af for a long time. Hated it when people who used it would win prizes in sports photo competitions. I’ve gradually given in as it has improved so much. I’m more inclined to manually position the focus point than manual focus. Especially with wide angle lenses.
How do other photographers of your level at the company handle this? See if any of them had the awkward conversation already and take notes.