A few years ago I wrote a book (The Human Side of High-Tech) about how technology companies recruit and engage a new generation of talent. And, of course, I touched on a generic theme – that the result of our high-tech lives is increasing our need for high-touch encounters.

Futurist Faith Popcorn takes this a step further, predicting that as people form more relationships in virtual rather than real communities, the loss of the human touch will be keenly felt. To make up for it, airlines may hire actors to greet you with a hug and financial advisers may increasingly hold your hand through tough times--literally.

Thinking of a second career? Massage therapists are going to be increasingly sought after.

Many Native American tribes use what's called the Talking Stic. In meetings, the person holding the Talking Stick is the only person allowed to speak. And the possessor of the Talking Stick holds onto it until he or she feels completely understood. Then, and only then, is the Talking Stick passed on to the next person. This creates an incredible understanding and synergy among the team. Most of all, it encourages members of the team to really listen. Every business would do well to have a Talking Stick!

The general manager of an insurance company, concerned that her salespeople were so afraid of failure that they hesitated to take even well-calculated risks, took action at a sales meeting. She put two $100 bills on the table and related her most recent failure, along with the lesson she had learned from it, then she challenged anyone else at the meeting to relate a bigger failure and “win” the $200. When no one spoke up, she scooped up he money and said that she would repeat her offer at each monthly sales meeting. From the second month on, the manager never again got to keep the $200, and as people began to discuss their failures, the sales department became more successful, quadrupling their earnings in one year.

Change always entails some kind of risk. And one way to encourage risk-taking in others is to use your personal failures as examples. Talk openly and honestly about your errors and setbacks -- and what you learned as a result. Let people know that you took risks when you were afraid and unsure of the results. And maybe you too will watch your staff fail their way to success.