Love Is NOT All You Need

There was a fascinating study recently conducted by a group called SPAN. They surveyed 24,000 people to determine what the highest energetic vibration humans can emit is.

Now, before we drift too far into the “woo-woo,” let’s acknowledge something we all intuitively know: everything is energy. You’ve felt it when you walked into a room and instantly picked up on someone’s mood. We even have phrases like “you could cut the tension with a knife” because energy is real, and it’s contagious.

Most of us would assume the highest vibrational energy is love. After all, we hear it all the time—love makes the world go round, the power of love, love me tender. But surprisingly, love came in second.

By a factor of more than 4,000 times, the vibration of authenticity ranked higher than love.

And if you think about it, it makes sense. Can you truly love—or feel loved—without authenticity? Authenticity is the foundation that allows love to be felt in the first place. Without it, love becomes shallow or conditional.

Authenticity in Business

In business settings—whether in a dental or orthodontic practice, or any workplace—authenticity can feel risky. Leaders may fear that being transparent about struggles (like finances, marketing challenges, or staffing issues) will make their team anxious. But in reality, hiding those truths can make people more uneasy. When employees sense something is “off” but can’t name it, that’s when gossip and insecurity grow.

One practice I encourage is what I call a “State of the Practice Address.” Once a year, gather your team and share openly:

• Here’s where we excelled this past year.
• Here are some struggles we faced and what we’re doing to improve.
• Here’s where we stand financially, and here’s how we’ll move forward.

These types of conversations, rooted in authenticity, don’t weaken confidence. They build trust. People feel safer and more committed when they know the real story rather than just hearing whispers in the hall.

That said, authenticity is often misunderstood. Some people confuse it with oversharing—dumping their problems onto others and calling it “being real.” True authenticity, however, doesn’t demand anything from the listener. It says: This is who I am. This is what I believe. Whether you agree or not, I’ll continue to show up as my true self.

The Challenge

So here’s the question for you: Are you leading with authenticity—or with performance?

In your office, with your patients or clients, and even at home, authenticity is what creates the strongest connections. More than love, more than charisma, more than charm—it’s authenticity that people respond to, respect, and remember.

Proactive, Productive, and Profitable,

Dino