Dr. Hermilo Jasso, Jr., an associate professor of business and economics at Lee, presented at the International Leadership Conference in Asuncion, Paraguay.
The one-day conference, “A Day for Leaders,” was attended by more than 500 of the top business leaders in the country.
Dr. Jasso’s presentation, “The Power of Storytelling as a Strategic Business Tool,” was based on the shift that social media has had in pushing communicators towards being more authentic, transparent, and personal. His presentation was based on the notion that storytelling is part of the shift that business leaders have to make in order to become great leaders. Dr. Jasso also discussed how data has proved that people like to think that most decision makers are logical, while in reality they use data and facts to post-rationalize the decision they have already emotionally made.
“A story can go where quantitative analysis is denied admission - our hearts,” said Dr. Jasso. “Data can persuade people, but it doesn’t inspire them to act. However, by using simple narratives and stories we can engage the audience/employees to take action. We need to understand that human connections need to go before concepts and strategies.”
Dr. Jasso was a co-speaker with Dr. Marshall Goldsmith who Thinkers50 cited in 2015 as the World's Most Influential Leadership Thinker and was also recognized by the American Management Association as one of 50 great thinkers and business leaders who have impacted the field of management over the past 80 years.
Dr. Jasso joined Lee's faculty in 1987 after a successful stint in the business world. Prior to his arrival at Lee, he worked as a stock broker for Merrill Lynch and as a financial analyst for Metropolitan Life.
He was the first recipient of the Janet Rahamut Faculty Award, given in recognition to the faculty member that exhibits the most heart for students evidenced by frequent interaction and positive involvement with them outside of the classroom. He has been a guest lecturer at multiple universities in South America as well as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, a U.S. Department of Defense Institution.
Dr. Hermilo Jasso, Jr. with Dr. Marshall Goldsmith at the leadership conference in Paraguay