As was pointed out, the grip was announced along with the Z line, so it wasn't an afterthought. Years of consideration went into the Z launch, so it was certainly mulled over. I don't buy that they omitted the proper connection for size, I notice no difference taking my Z6 around vs my D750. I'm not angry with Nikon for taking this route, it's a pretty typical product strategy. It just doesn't speak well for Nikon's internal confidence. They are clearly bracing for poor adoption of 2nd gen of Zs. We will see the 2nd gen Zs regaining drive buttons, real grip, live histogram w/rgb, meter button, etc. Or at least a smattering, with the remainder saved for 3rd gen if they are still feeling ill-confident. You can see the ill-confidence in the Noct. Eager to make a statement, but not confident enough to actually push the envelope. That's what ill-confident men do when they 'fake-it-to-make-it'.
On my comment about large corrected lenses, the fact that they are designing their lenses towards the current meta despite the fact that it negates the supposed main selling point of size/weight just further shows that their internal confidence is currently low. Companies that are confident internally release what they feel are the best products they can churn out. Companies that are not do what everyone else is succeeding with, even if it contradicts the supposed main points of the product these products are produced to compliment.
I hope this doesn't come across as a bash on Nikon. Nothing in this world is written in stone, companies changes. The current ill-confidence I note will likely pass with fresh employees coming into Nikon, gen Z is more confident and hopeful in general than the gens preceding them.