Kompass Blog

Like many judges and lawyers, Mary Joseph entered the field of alternative dispute resolution after retiring from a successful career in law. But she’s not your typical lawyer-turned-mediator.

Mary brings a unique repertoire of skills and scholarship to her mediation practice, including 30 years as an immigration lawyer, a Master’s in Divinity, and expertise in online dispute resolution (ODR).

Two years ago, Mary added mediation instructor to the list. She teaches the accredited Mediation Certificate at Kompass Professional Development.

Updated January 2024

“I am convinced that nothing we do is more important than hiring and developing people. At the end of the day, you bet on people not on strategies.” - Larry Bossidy 

It's tough to argue with Larry Bossidy—renowned business leader, author, speaker, and now retired CEO of Honeywell. 

Bossidy was never an HR manager, but there’s no doubt he understood the enormous value of recruiting, nurturing, and retaining top talent. He knew that business success is intrinsically linked to employee success. 

And who monitors and cultivates employee success? The human resources team. 

That’s why HR has risen in stature to occupy a central role in business. Organizations must compete for the best workforce—and only talented HR professionals can give them an edge. 

Exactly what are companies looking for when hiring human resources managers? They’re looking for candidates with a specific set of core HR competencies.  

Take a look at the top 10 skills you need to work in HR. 

Updated December 2022

Canada is in the midst of a mental health crisis. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 20 per cent of Canadians will personally experience a mental health problem or illness this year.By age 40, half the population will have, or have had, a mental illness. 

Never has demand been higher for skilled mental health counselors, clinicians, advocates, and organizers. We need support at every level, from grassroots community mental health organizations to policymakers and clinical practitioners. 

Are you considering a career in community mental health? Wondering what your job options are, or what training you need to get started? 

Explore some common community mental health careers. Compare roles, learn about educational requirements, and which skills you'll need to succeed in this field.

Updated January 2023

It could easily be argued that absolutely everyone can benefit from a quality mental health education course.

With skyrocketing rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide across the globe, it seems obvious that mental health education and resources should be a top priority for us all. 

However, until that day comes, it makes sense to support our first line of defense. We’re talking about front-line professionals who deal closely with the public every single day. 

Health care providers are an obvious part of this group, but there are many other occupations that involve working with and supporting groups of people. Educators, social workers, and HR professionals, to name a few.

Any position that involves helping, treating, teaching, coaching, managing, and motivating others can overlap with the domain of mental health. 

Curious about who takes our Mental Health & Addictions course, or if you could benefit from it yourself? Here's a look at the professions our students come from and why they take this training.

Updated January 2024

Issues around predatory behavior, illegal conduct, and toxic work environments have been in the spotlight for the past while.

But the truth is, it's always been important to comply with workplace legislation and foster positive professional relationships...not just to avoid lawsuits, but to ensure work teams can grow and thrive.

These are the goals of an effective human resources strategy. And if you've recently moved into a supervisor or manager role, they are the most important objectives on your new to-do list.

But we're guessing you've received little or no HR training on how to actually build and sustain a thriving team. What new skills will you need to make a smooth transition?

These are the five human resources skills every new manager needs—but few actually have.

Updated January 2023

Although strides have been made to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental illness, the issue remains shrouded in shame and secrecy.

Research clearly shows that millions of people across the globe are suffering from poor mental health. Yet health care providers and front-line community workers still lack training in how to identify and assist those in need.

And despite the prevalence of mental illness, there is a wide array of poisonous myths regarding the nature of mental health disorders—and the people who are afflicted by them.

Do you have questions about which mental illnesses are most common, their key characteristics, and treatment options?

If you work closely with the public, there is little doubt that you have encountered people suffering from one (or more) of the following five mental health issues.

This list isn't definitive, but it offers a good summary of attributes, statistics, and warning signs associated with these very common mental illnesses.

Updated January 2023

Updated December 2022

Updated January 2023

If you work in a community-serving role, you've probably faced situations where you suspected someone was suffering from poor mental health—but you weren't sure what questions to ask or how to intervene.

What signals should you be looking for? When do you take action? What are some clear, universal signs that someone is at-risk and needs support?

These questions are particularly salient for people who work with youth and young adults.

Early intervention can help reduce the severity of a mental illness, and in some cases, delay or prevent its development altogether. Mental health training and awareness are key.

Obviously, a complete mental health assessment is required to make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

But as a first step, community-serving professionals can be on alert for symptoms, encourage open discussions, and identify where an assessment and further support may be needed.

These are five of the most common signs of poor mental health. One symptom alone may not indicate a serious problem, but combined, they signal a clear call for help.

Updated December 2022

If you're considering a career in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), you're probably familiar with practices like mediation and arbitration, which people use to resolve disputes out of court.

Given the time, expense, and sheer stress of litigation, it's no surprise that the field of ADR is growing rapidly. But if you're looking to capitalize on this momentum and start a career in arbitration, where do you begin?

How do you select a reputable program, and what are your career options as an arbitrator?

These are just some of the questions we get from prospective students who are considering arbitration training. And who better to answer them than David Merrigan? He's a highly experienced arbitrator who also developed our arbitration certificate.

So let's get started. Here are David's answers to your most frequently asked questions, along with some valuable advice to start your career.