We encourage our clients to use non-adversarial joint problem solving to resolve conflict.  A simpler way of saying that is that we work with people to talk about and solve their problems together.  We ask our clients to stop seeing the other person as an obstacle to overcome, and rather to see them as an ally in finding a solution that can work for everyone. Consider the advantages of this approach when it comes to a financial negotiation: Just like poker players hide their cards when they play a hand, people often assume the best approach to negotiation is to hold back information to achieve the best outcome for themselves.  This analogy ignores the fact that the rules of poker are designed around having incomplete information, and using clues to gain an edge.  The rules of negotiation are often different depending on the context.  For example, in a divorce case the court in Massachusetts requires certain financial information to be automatically disc...