EP 48: Building Strong Teams Through Lateral Agility In Leadership

Small, consistent actions can lead to significant improvements in creating a positive work culture and environment.

In this episode, Tina Livaudais, Chief Nursing Officer at DaVita Kidney Care, highlights the importance of lateral agility in leadership and understanding teams’ experiences to create a cohesive and supportive work environment. She discusses strategies to improve employee engagement, including hosting roundtables, fostering open communication, and encouraging personal and professional development. Tina explains the value of structured communication tools, the role of vulnerability in leadership, and the significance of addressing disruptive behaviors to cultivate a healthy workplace culture. She also touches on the impact of small, incremental actions in creating a positive work environment and the introduction of a new award to recognize nurses’ contributions.

Tune in and learn how thoughtful leadership strategies can build strong, connected teams and improve patient care!

About Tina Livaudais:

Tina Livaudais is the chief nursing officer for DaVita Kidney Care, where she focuses on clinical experience and patient safety. Tina is an established leader in the nursing field, with over 29 years in clinical leadership roles at every level of the organization.

She started her DaVita tenure in 1995 as a patient care technician (PCT) in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her passion for personalized, high-touch care deepened, and Tina went on to serve as a facility administrator, regional operations director, division vice president of Hospital Services, and vice president of Clinical Services for a multi-state region before her latest role as chief nursing officer.

Tina is passionate about continuous education and development, often advocating through guest lectures and presentations to nursing groups across the U.S. Tina was honored with the 2017 Chairman’s Award and Fierce Healthcare’s 2023 Women of Influence Award for her inspirational leadership style and strong advocacy for nurses and PCTs. She’s also made it her mission to solve the nephrology nursing workforce shortage by exposing nursing students to nephrology early in their education and supporting nurses in the transition from student to nurse and beyond.