When you hire an attorney you hire a professional to advocate a POSITION for you.   That attorney will represent you zealously and present your positions to the court at time of trial.   During mediation your attorney will offer your position to the mediation in the term of a written OFFER.  The offer will be met with an counteroffer and so along throughout the day.  The traditional way in which we resolve conflict at the courthouse/mediation is either positional, or at best, TRANSACTIONAL.

The American Bar Association has suggested that the best mediation practice offers family law clients the ability to LISTEN, UNDERSTAND AND RESPOND to one another.  Helping people relate to one another - that is a RELATIONAL approach to resolving conflict.  

Its important to note the differences between the Relational and Transactional models when you are attempting to resolve your divorce conflict.