I actually agree with most of this. I also think we should actively seek to build diverse teams, primarily by more inclusive pipelines. I also agree that it was

I actually agree with most of this. I also think we should actively seek to build diverse teams, primarily by more inclusive pipelines. I also agree that it was a long-term disservice to the employee who wasn't getting the necessary feedback/adjustments, because the CEO wanted to game the system unethically. I just don't think we should be biasing our judgments of a person's value or competency based on their sex or race though, and unfortunately, I have a few experiences that point to conscious decisions in that direction. I'm not saying you are making this argument, but if there is an argument that "we need conscious decisions to counterbalance the unconscious biases," then I really wholeheartedly disagree with that approach. Like you suggested, we're not doing people favors when we shield them from honest feedback about their output.