Mark Johnson
@markjohnsonit.bsky.social
Helping Federal orgs get more from emerging tech. Husband, father, retired Navy pilot. IBM VP, but all opinions only mine.
This day reminds me of the steady commitment that defines real service. The people who showed up when it counted and kept showing up when it was hard left an example that lasts.
To every veteran who continues to lead and serve in new ways: thank you for setting the standard.
To every veteran who continues to lead and serve in new ways: thank you for setting the standard.
November 11, 2025 at 2:47 PM
This day reminds me of the steady commitment that defines real service. The people who showed up when it counted and kept showing up when it was hard left an example that lasts.
To every veteran who continues to lead and serve in new ways: thank you for setting the standard.
To every veteran who continues to lead and serve in new ways: thank you for setting the standard.
What do you do when your team is frozen with indecision?
Overthinking can feel like control, but it delays progress. Here’s what helps me move forward:
1. Define “good enough”
2. Set deadlines
3. Treat decisions as checkpoints, not final verdicts
4. Ask for facts
5. Document & follow through
Overthinking can feel like control, but it delays progress. Here’s what helps me move forward:
1. Define “good enough”
2. Set deadlines
3. Treat decisions as checkpoints, not final verdicts
4. Ask for facts
5. Document & follow through
October 30, 2025 at 7:27 PM
What do you do when your team is frozen with indecision?
Overthinking can feel like control, but it delays progress. Here’s what helps me move forward:
1. Define “good enough”
2. Set deadlines
3. Treat decisions as checkpoints, not final verdicts
4. Ask for facts
5. Document & follow through
Overthinking can feel like control, but it delays progress. Here’s what helps me move forward:
1. Define “good enough”
2. Set deadlines
3. Treat decisions as checkpoints, not final verdicts
4. Ask for facts
5. Document & follow through
Leaders don’t need to be engineers, but they need enough technical fluency to cut through buzzwords.
Too many conversations get lost in jargon. Technical fluency keeps leaders focused on the areas that drive real progress: outcomes, risks, and decisions.
Too many conversations get lost in jargon. Technical fluency keeps leaders focused on the areas that drive real progress: outcomes, risks, and decisions.
October 26, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Leaders don’t need to be engineers, but they need enough technical fluency to cut through buzzwords.
Too many conversations get lost in jargon. Technical fluency keeps leaders focused on the areas that drive real progress: outcomes, risks, and decisions.
Too many conversations get lost in jargon. Technical fluency keeps leaders focused on the areas that drive real progress: outcomes, risks, and decisions.
Authentic leadership starts with restraint. It’s knowing when to speak and when to hold back.
The leaders who earn trust communicate with clarity and purpose.
Credibility grows through preparation, discipline, and the consistency of their actions.
The leaders who earn trust communicate with clarity and purpose.
Credibility grows through preparation, discipline, and the consistency of their actions.
October 21, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Authentic leadership starts with restraint. It’s knowing when to speak and when to hold back.
The leaders who earn trust communicate with clarity and purpose.
Credibility grows through preparation, discipline, and the consistency of their actions.
The leaders who earn trust communicate with clarity and purpose.
Credibility grows through preparation, discipline, and the consistency of their actions.
The problem with generative AI is trust. That’s what matters. If we can’t trust it, we can’t use it in government systems.
Operational use of AI depends on accuracy, explainability, and governance. Missions require outcomes that are verifiable and reliable.
Operational use of AI depends on accuracy, explainability, and governance. Missions require outcomes that are verifiable and reliable.
September 30, 2025 at 6:52 PM
The problem with generative AI is trust. That’s what matters. If we can’t trust it, we can’t use it in government systems.
Operational use of AI depends on accuracy, explainability, and governance. Missions require outcomes that are verifiable and reliable.
Operational use of AI depends on accuracy, explainability, and governance. Missions require outcomes that are verifiable and reliable.
In business and in the cockpit, hesitation is costly. On my first solo flight, I learned to trust the training, make the call, and keep going.
Progress only happens when you choose to move forward.
Progress only happens when you choose to move forward.
September 23, 2025 at 3:23 PM
In business and in the cockpit, hesitation is costly. On my first solo flight, I learned to trust the training, make the call, and keep going.
Progress only happens when you choose to move forward.
Progress only happens when you choose to move forward.
Cloud isn’t going to be everything.
The future is hybrid.
Defense & intelligence missions need both flexibility and resilience; some workloads in the cloud, others on-prem for security or assurance. The leaders who balance both will set the standard.
The future is hybrid.
Defense & intelligence missions need both flexibility and resilience; some workloads in the cloud, others on-prem for security or assurance. The leaders who balance both will set the standard.
September 17, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Cloud isn’t going to be everything.
The future is hybrid.
Defense & intelligence missions need both flexibility and resilience; some workloads in the cloud, others on-prem for security or assurance. The leaders who balance both will set the standard.
The future is hybrid.
Defense & intelligence missions need both flexibility and resilience; some workloads in the cloud, others on-prem for security or assurance. The leaders who balance both will set the standard.
#LLMs don’t reason. Designing systems that treat them like people = brittle frameworks. Use them for what they do well & pair with tools built for trust + reasoning.
More: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/its-time-set-record-straight-llms-intelligent-matters-mark-johnson-f0ake/
More: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/its-time-set-record-straight-llms-intelligent-matters-mark-johnson-f0ake/
September 12, 2025 at 6:35 PM
#LLMs don’t reason. Designing systems that treat them like people = brittle frameworks. Use them for what they do well & pair with tools built for trust + reasoning.
More: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/its-time-set-record-straight-llms-intelligent-matters-mark-johnson-f0ake/
More: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/its-time-set-record-straight-llms-intelligent-matters-mark-johnson-f0ake/
#LLMs predict; humans make the call, especially in critical ops. Guardrails: clear decision bounds, audit logs, red-teaming, measurement & rollback.
My full take on this: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/its-time-set-record-straight-llms-intelligent-matters-mark-johnson-f0ake/
My full take on this: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/its-time-set-record-straight-llms-intelligent-matters-mark-johnson-f0ake/
September 5, 2025 at 1:27 PM
#LLMs predict; humans make the call, especially in critical ops. Guardrails: clear decision bounds, audit logs, red-teaming, measurement & rollback.
My full take on this: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/its-time-set-record-straight-llms-intelligent-matters-mark-johnson-f0ake/
My full take on this: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/its-time-set-record-straight-llms-intelligent-matters-mark-johnson-f0ake/
Happy #LaborDay to the people who keep missions moving: public servants, operators, maintainers, engineers, cyber defenders, manufacturers, program teams. I'm grateful for your craft & pride in work & I remain committed to backing your teams w/ the tools that work when it counts.
September 1, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Happy #LaborDay to the people who keep missions moving: public servants, operators, maintainers, engineers, cyber defenders, manufacturers, program teams. I'm grateful for your craft & pride in work & I remain committed to backing your teams w/ the tools that work when it counts.
National Aviation Day celebrates flight & the people who make it possible. Flying F/A-18s shaped my leadership: preparation, trust, adaptability. Decide with the info at hand & rely on your team. That mindset guides my work in defense to this day. #Leadership #NationalAviationDay
August 19, 2025 at 5:41 PM
National Aviation Day celebrates flight & the people who make it possible. Flying F/A-18s shaped my leadership: preparation, trust, adaptability. Decide with the info at hand & rely on your team. That mindset guides my work in defense to this day. #Leadership #NationalAviationDay
LLMs generate predictions, not knowledge or reasoning. In high-stakes environments, false trust in these systems leads to real risk. Before scaling AI in government, we need clarity on what it actually does and where human judgment must remain in the loop.
#AI #GovTech #LLMs
#AI #GovTech #LLMs
August 15, 2025 at 3:49 PM
LLMs generate predictions, not knowledge or reasoning. In high-stakes environments, false trust in these systems leads to real risk. Before scaling AI in government, we need clarity on what it actually does and where human judgment must remain in the loop.
#AI #GovTech #LLMs
#AI #GovTech #LLMs
#LLMs aren't intelligent the way many think.
This series will clarify misconceptions impacting security, trust, and government.
Find more of my thoughts on this here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/its-time-set-record-straight-llms-intelligent-matters-mark-johnson-f0ake/
This series will clarify misconceptions impacting security, trust, and government.
Find more of my thoughts on this here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/its-time-set-record-straight-llms-intelligent-matters-mark-johnson-f0ake/
August 4, 2025 at 5:25 PM
#LLMs aren't intelligent the way many think.
This series will clarify misconceptions impacting security, trust, and government.
Find more of my thoughts on this here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/its-time-set-record-straight-llms-intelligent-matters-mark-johnson-f0ake/
This series will clarify misconceptions impacting security, trust, and government.
Find more of my thoughts on this here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/its-time-set-record-straight-llms-intelligent-matters-mark-johnson-f0ake/
Everyone loves free beer. 🍺
But open source software ... that’s a free puppy. 🐶
It might be free, but you're responsible for its health, safety, and behavior. For years.
Code provenance, validation, and continuous assurance are mission-critical.
Free doesn’t mean risk-free.
But open source software ... that’s a free puppy. 🐶
It might be free, but you're responsible for its health, safety, and behavior. For years.
Code provenance, validation, and continuous assurance are mission-critical.
Free doesn’t mean risk-free.
July 22, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Everyone loves free beer. 🍺
But open source software ... that’s a free puppy. 🐶
It might be free, but you're responsible for its health, safety, and behavior. For years.
Code provenance, validation, and continuous assurance are mission-critical.
Free doesn’t mean risk-free.
But open source software ... that’s a free puppy. 🐶
It might be free, but you're responsible for its health, safety, and behavior. For years.
Code provenance, validation, and continuous assurance are mission-critical.
Free doesn’t mean risk-free.
Sales doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Leaders who build cross-functional awareness—aligning sales with marketing, product, and customer success—create a competitive advantage. Eliminating "middle managers" will cost you in missed opportunities.
#SalesLeadership #CrossFunctional #LeadershipLessons
#SalesLeadership #CrossFunctional #LeadershipLessons
July 10, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Sales doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Leaders who build cross-functional awareness—aligning sales with marketing, product, and customer success—create a competitive advantage. Eliminating "middle managers" will cost you in missed opportunities.
#SalesLeadership #CrossFunctional #LeadershipLessons
#SalesLeadership #CrossFunctional #LeadershipLessons
July 4 reminds me that service evolves.
From Navy pilot to defense tech, the mission is to protect what matters: securing clouds, managing AI risk, and translating policy into defense.
Grateful to serve, just differently.
From Navy pilot to defense tech, the mission is to protect what matters: securing clouds, managing AI risk, and translating policy into defense.
Grateful to serve, just differently.
July 4, 2025 at 3:23 PM
July 4 reminds me that service evolves.
From Navy pilot to defense tech, the mission is to protect what matters: securing clouds, managing AI risk, and translating policy into defense.
Grateful to serve, just differently.
From Navy pilot to defense tech, the mission is to protect what matters: securing clouds, managing AI risk, and translating policy into defense.
Grateful to serve, just differently.
Sales teams thrive with single-client focus. Technical talent excels across multiple accounts. Align #TeamIncentives accordingly.
Too many organizations use one-size-fits-all compensation models. Match your incentive structure to natural work patterns & watch performance soar.
#Leadership
Too many organizations use one-size-fits-all compensation models. Match your incentive structure to natural work patterns & watch performance soar.
#Leadership
June 27, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Sales teams thrive with single-client focus. Technical talent excels across multiple accounts. Align #TeamIncentives accordingly.
Too many organizations use one-size-fits-all compensation models. Match your incentive structure to natural work patterns & watch performance soar.
#Leadership
Too many organizations use one-size-fits-all compensation models. Match your incentive structure to natural work patterns & watch performance soar.
#Leadership
True success isn't measured in dollars earned, but in missions advanced.
Stop tracking every deal's commission—focus on delivering value to your customer's mission. In federal especially, where we ultimately serve Americans, this mindset transforms results.
The money will follow.
#FederalTech
Stop tracking every deal's commission—focus on delivering value to your customer's mission. In federal especially, where we ultimately serve Americans, this mindset transforms results.
The money will follow.
#FederalTech
June 22, 2025 at 8:21 PM
True success isn't measured in dollars earned, but in missions advanced.
Stop tracking every deal's commission—focus on delivering value to your customer's mission. In federal especially, where we ultimately serve Americans, this mindset transforms results.
The money will follow.
#FederalTech
Stop tracking every deal's commission—focus on delivering value to your customer's mission. In federal especially, where we ultimately serve Americans, this mindset transforms results.
The money will follow.
#FederalTech
Federal sales success demands problem solvers, not pitch artists. Agencies need partners who understand their challenges and speak their language. The best teams lead with solutions, not slideshows. Cultivate expertise first, sales second.
#FederalSales #LeadershipInsights #GovSales
#FederalSales #LeadershipInsights #GovSales
June 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Federal sales success demands problem solvers, not pitch artists. Agencies need partners who understand their challenges and speak their language. The best teams lead with solutions, not slideshows. Cultivate expertise first, sales second.
#FederalSales #LeadershipInsights #GovSales
#FederalSales #LeadershipInsights #GovSales
Today, I'm reminded how proud I am of my step-son Chad (who recently became a 2LT in the US Marines). From my military service to federal work, I've learned that true leadership is measured by impact, not rank. Seeing that same commitment in him is the greatest #FathersDay gift of all.
June 15, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Today, I'm reminded how proud I am of my step-son Chad (who recently became a 2LT in the US Marines). From my military service to federal work, I've learned that true leadership is measured by impact, not rank. Seeing that same commitment in him is the greatest #FathersDay gift of all.
Mission-first leadership means modeling what matters. I've seen fed sales reps obsess over $1 payouts while missing bigger opportunities. Effective leaders reframe: less tracking pennies, more chasing prospects. Show your team where to look, not just what to fix.
#FederalSales #Leadership
#FederalSales #Leadership
June 9, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Mission-first leadership means modeling what matters. I've seen fed sales reps obsess over $1 payouts while missing bigger opportunities. Effective leaders reframe: less tracking pennies, more chasing prospects. Show your team where to look, not just what to fix.
#FederalSales #Leadership
#FederalSales #Leadership
🎯 Quick lesson from federal sales: Address setbacks immediately. Don't wait for quarterly training. Some say "let emotions settle" - but those raw moments hold our best insights. Real leadership means pausing to learn, even when it's uncomfortable.
#Leadership #FederalSales
#Leadership #FederalSales
June 4, 2025 at 1:35 PM
🎯 Quick lesson from federal sales: Address setbacks immediately. Don't wait for quarterly training. Some say "let emotions settle" - but those raw moments hold our best insights. Real leadership means pausing to learn, even when it's uncomfortable.
#Leadership #FederalSales
#Leadership #FederalSales
Stop waiting for quarterly reviews. When a rep challenges your decision, that's your coaching moment. Had it happen today—and those raw, honest conversations teach me as much as my team. Coach in real-time. Listen in real-time. Lead in real-time.
#FederalSales #LeadershipLessons
#FederalSales #LeadershipLessons
May 29, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Stop waiting for quarterly reviews. When a rep challenges your decision, that's your coaching moment. Had it happen today—and those raw, honest conversations teach me as much as my team. Coach in real-time. Listen in real-time. Lead in real-time.
#FederalSales #LeadershipLessons
#FederalSales #LeadershipLessons
After two decades in the Navy, I learned true leadership from those we honor today – it's not about who's in charge, but who steps forward when others step back.
On Memorial Day, I remember the heroes who embodied this every day
#MemorialDay #Leadership #Veterans
On Memorial Day, I remember the heroes who embodied this every day
#MemorialDay #Leadership #Veterans
May 26, 2025 at 2:20 PM
After two decades in the Navy, I learned true leadership from those we honor today – it's not about who's in charge, but who steps forward when others step back.
On Memorial Day, I remember the heroes who embodied this every day
#MemorialDay #Leadership #Veterans
On Memorial Day, I remember the heroes who embodied this every day
#MemorialDay #Leadership #Veterans
Leadership requires listening first, then action. When my team challenged an executive decision I had already tried to change, I could have ignored them. Instead, they reminded me to never stop fighting for what is right. Great leaders know wisdom often comes from below.
#ServantLeadership #Wisdom
#ServantLeadership #Wisdom
May 20, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Leadership requires listening first, then action. When my team challenged an executive decision I had already tried to change, I could have ignored them. Instead, they reminded me to never stop fighting for what is right. Great leaders know wisdom often comes from below.
#ServantLeadership #Wisdom
#ServantLeadership #Wisdom