The authors argue that mediators' practices and values are influenced more by the needs of the institutions within which they work than the "independently-held values of a mediation 'profession.'" This is undermining their faithfulness as a group to certain key principles and knowledge, which is necessary for professionalism to take hold. They cite as examples inconsistent behavior toward self-determination, impartiality, and justice. Instead of bowing to institutional pressures, mediators should be acting as agents of institutional reform if professionalization is to take place.