If, at any time, parties encounter these mediator pitfalls, they should speak up immediately and make their concerns known. The mediator should address the concern to your satisfaction:

1. Lack of Preparation: Going into mediation without a thorough understanding of the issues and the parties involved can lead to ineffective mediation.
2. Bias: Showing any form of favoritism can erode trust and make one party feel marginalized.
3. Overstepping Role: Mediators need to facilitate, not dominate the discussion. Giving solutions rather than guiding parties to find their own can undermine the process.
4. Ignoring Emotions: Failing to address emotional undercurrents can prevent true resolution. Sometimes, it is necessary to let parties express their emotions before moving forward.
5. Poor Communication: Miscommunication or misunderstanding between the mediator and the parties can lead to confusion and frustration.
6. Lack of Cultural Sensitivity: Not being aware of cultural differences can lead to misinterpretation and offense, derailing the mediation process.
7. Impatience: Rushing the process can lead to superficial agreements that do not address the root causes of the conflict.
8. Failure to Set Ground Rules: Without clear guidelines for behavior and communication, the mediation can devolve into chaos.
9. Not Managing Power Imbalances: If one party is significantly more powerful than the other, the mediator must work to balance the dynamics to ensure fair negotiation.
10. Inadequate Follow-Up: Failing to follow up after an agreement is reached can result in a lack of accountability and the potential for the conflict to resurface.