Hotel Leadership Lessons: From COVID to Community Impact

In this episode, host Michelle Pascoe sits down with Michael Johnson, inaugural CEO of Accommodation Australia, who guided the hotel sector through COVID-19, coordinated quarantine hotels with just 48 hours’ notice, and spearheaded the long-awaited merger of Australia’s two peak accommodation bodies. Now retired from executive leadership, Michael is channelling his passion into ReLove, a Sydney charity furnishing homes for people escaping homelessness and domestic violence. By connecting hotels undergoing refurbishments with families in need, ReLove is also helping the sector achieve its ESG goals — a win for people and the planet. Key Points How mentoring and saying “yes” can transform careers What Michael learned from crisis leadership during COVID-19 Why the Accommodation Australia merger finally succeeded How ReLove is repurposing furniture to create dignity-filled homes Ways you can support the movement Timestamps 0:00 – Intro 2:30 – From Diesel Mechanic to Hospitality 7:20 – Early Hotel Lessons & Mentors 12:15 – Culture Shock: Sydney’s King’s Cross 17:10 – Career Growth: F&B to Management 22:00 – Training as a Chef & Expanding Skills 26:50 – Leadership in Hotels & Transitions 31:40 – Steering TAA Through COVID 37:15 – Hotel Quarantine & Crisis Leadership 41:45 – Amalgamating Industry Bodies 45:55 – Lessons in Resilience & Adaptability 48:25 – The ReLove Initiative & Impact 51:20 – Global Potential & Closing Reflections Next Steps + Resources Support Relove (donate quality furniture, volunteer, or partner via ESG); ⁠https://www.relove.org.au/⁠ Work With Michelle Michelle Pascoe helps hospitality leaders build multigenerational teams, lift service standards, and embed values-led culture. Book customer service workshops, and middle-management programs tailored to clubs, hotels, and hospitality venues. Visit the website to learn more; ⁠https://www.michellepascoe.com/traininganddevelopmentprograms⁠ Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify; ⁠⁠https://www.michellepascoe.com/The-Michelle-Pascoe-Hospitality-Podcast⁠⁠  Join Michelle’s newsletter for leadership, culture, and service excellence; ⁠⁠https://www.michellepascoe.com/blog⁠⁠