Building Culture Through Strategic Internal Communication
On Episode 223, I talk to Alejandra Ramirez, founder of Ready Cultures
Episode Overview
This week I’m joined by Alejandra Ramirez, an internal communications specialist with nearly 20 years of experience helping service-driven businesses shape their culture from the inside out. Together, we discuss why so many organisations struggle to turn their values into lived reality—and what leaders can do about it.
The Culture Gap
We’ve all seen it: values proudly displayed on office walls that bear little resemblance to how things actually work day-to-day. Alejandra explains that whilst companies often start with the best intentions when defining their vision and values, they frequently forget to bridge the gap between what leadership wants to say and how employees actually receive it.
The cost of this disconnect shows up in ways that aren’t always traced back to culture—high turnover, low engagement, internal politics, and slower decision-making.
As Alejandra says:
“Your culture is only as strong as your communication.”
The 3-H Framework
To help leaders communicate more effectively, Alejandra introduces her 3-H Framework: Head, Heart, and Hands.
Head – Is your message clear? Do people understand what’s happening and have access to the facts they need?
Heart – Does it connect emotionally? Have you explained why this matters to them personally and to the success of the organisation?
Hands – Is there a clear call to action? Do people know exactly what they need to do differently as a result?
Alejandra shares a real-world example where a company launched a valuable internal tool, but without strategic communication around it, the tool simply sat unused. She discusses how by auditing where the breakdowns were and applying the 3-H Framework, she helped them successfully relaunch with far greater adoption.
Crisis-Proofing Your Culture
We go on to discuss the importance of what Alejandra calls “crisis-proofing”—building strong communication habits during good times so that when challenges arise, your people are already primed to listen and trust what you’re telling them.
The conversation touches on those uncomfortable “undercurrents” that exist in many workplaces—the new competitor being built down the road that everyone can see but nobody’s discussing.
Alejandra emphasises that people aren’t stupid; they notice what’s being avoided.
The key takeaway here is that leaders who address these elephants in the room, rather than hoping they’ll go unnoticed, build far stronger trust with their teams.
The Hidden Cost of Poor Communication
One of the most striking points in this episode is the hidden cost of cultural breakdown.
I make that point that by the time a valued, long-standing employee hands in their notice, they’ve usually been mentally leaving for quite some time. The institutional knowledge they take with them is often irreplaceable.
Alejandra goes on to note that even high achievers will burn out and leave if the goalposts keep shifting and there’s no clarity on how to get from A to B. Process, she reminds us, is communication—and without clear, consistent processes, productivity and morale both suffer.
Key Takeaways
Internal communication isn’t just meetings and memos—it’s a leadership skill that turns strategy into action and values into lived culture.
Whilst many organisations invest heavily in external PR and messaging, the same rigour is rarely applied internally.
Getting this right consistently can be the edge that sets your organisation apart.
Connect with Alejandra Ramirez
Website: readycultures.com – Download the 3-H Framework workbook directly from the homepage
LinkedIn: Alejandra Ramirez-Wells
