If I want to win at checkers won't I learn to practice earnestly, study other players and pay attention to every move that is made? Won't that alone make me a better checkers player and thus allow me to win more times than lose?
I have never had a team of hard workers that lost more then they won.
Winning is important because it opens doors and teaches you how see things through. You cannot motivate them - what you do is siphon off the players that don't share that philosophy if that is the type of team you have.
I don't disagree with you (except that I believe it's possible for hard-working teams to lose more than they win). ...
I just think it's important for coaches to ask themselves those questions.