This is an unfortunately common and expensive exercise in self-deception. A party can always lose. In trial one party always loses. In multi-party cases, several parties lose. In a successful mediation no one loses.
Mediation requires patience.
It takes time to work through each phase. If the mediation is rushed, parties will feel they have not had an opportunity to be heard. This may cause the mediation to fail. Sometimes it may seem mediation moves slowly. However, as the parties invest more time and energy into the problem solving process, it gains momentum and leads to settlement.