Terrible argument. "Let's add more distractions to the screen, because the user should be able to focus anyway".
Also, Google broke the "Best Secret Gmail Feature" [1]. In the last few months, you can't select text and hit reply to quote it anymore. Grrr
[1] http://gizmodo.com/5963768/the-best-secret-gmail-feature-is-...
Everyone regardless of profession has a "zone" where they are the most productive. If a CEO needs to write 10 long-form emails in a day they should definitely have the best environment and the best tools for the job. It can be the difference between spending 5 minutes composing an email vs. 30 minutes.
It's also my responsibility to ensure I can focus and work efficiently, agreed. Whether I can do that well with Gmail's new Compose is the issue.
Also, they're holding it wrong. Right?
Besides, a CEO that can't focus on writing a message unless they don't have any other distraction on their screen should probably work on their focus skills.