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.

The use of arbitration is on the rise. More and more employers require workers to sign mandatory arbitration agreements, keeping conflicts like employment discrimination and wrongful termination out of the courts.

We're also seeing a major uptick in intellectual property and technology disputes handled through arbitration.

Arbitration clauses are finding their way into a growing number of consumer contracts, spanning everything from cell phone agreements and home purchases to car rentals and cable service providers. There is also a widespread movement to use arbitration as an alternative to litigation for international commercial disputes.

Virtual arbitration, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in arbitration, and the emergence of arbitration analytics all point toward the expansion and rapid evolution of the practice.

Yet, despite its growing importance in the world of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), a number of myths persist about the nature and process of arbitration.

Kat Bellamano teaches the accredited arbitration training course at Kompass Professional Development. She has been working in the field of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for 17 years.

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 2023

Mediation is often described as both an art and a science. A science because the practice is governed by a clear framework, with concrete technical components and legal boundaries. 

An art because skilled mediators draw on a variety of less tangible assets, like intuition, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a gift for cultivating trust amidst tension and hostility. 

Updated January 2024

Human resources management (HRM) has a much larger role in business than most people realize.

When you think about HR, what comes to mind? Most likely, you’re thinking about processes like recruitment, hiring, explaining company benefits, and dealing with discipline issues. 

But at today’s leading companies, HR goes far beyond these routine functions. More than ever before, human resources professionals are playing a key role in strategic planning and corporate policy. They are contributing at the highest levels, working with senior management to cultivate the most valuable asset a company has: its people. 

As HR grows as an industry, so does the variety of jobs available in different areas of specialization and different levels of seniority. 

What types of human resources jobs are available? What career paths can you pursue, from HR generalist to specialist roles? Here’s a look at some popular options, as well as some tips on how to transition into the field.

Updated October 2022

Mediation is not a regulated profession in Canada. There is no specific degree, diploma, or certificate you must have to start a career in mediation. 

That being said, most successful mediators have earned designations through the ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC)—the country’s leading alternative dispute resolution organization. 

Both mediators and arbitrators can earn different kinds of professional designations through the Institute, depending on their educational qualifications and experience in the field. 

Which designations are available for mediators? How does one qualify? What is involved in gaining membership with the ADR Institute, and what can you expect in return? 

These are 5 quick facts every aspiring mediator should know about the ADR Institute—and laying the groundwork for a successful career in alternative dispute resolution.  

Updated January 2023

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health issues on the planet.

There are some truly staggering statistics on how many people are suffering from these conditions, and how few receive appropriate care. 

In the United States alone, an estimated 18 per cent of the population—40 million people—have some form of anxiety. But only 10 per cent of those people will receive proper, effective treatment for anxiety. 

It’s a similar story with depression. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that close to 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression. In some countries, fewer than 25 per cent get any kind of treatment. 

Which brings us to the topic of today’s post: debunking harmful myths around anxiety and depression.

These myths perpetuate the cycle of ignorance and shame and create major barriers to improved mental health in our communities.