Table 1.

Analysis categories: identified paradoxes mapped to the interpersonal compassion process.

Interpersonal process of compassion (Dutton et al., 2014)	Paradoxes identified in our study
A sufferer’s experienced and expressed suffering	Paradox of showing the vulnerable, private self versus showing the strong, professional self
A focal actor noticing suffering	Paradox of probing (pro-)actively but respecting boundaries
A focal actor feeling empathic concern	Paradox of compassion requiring empathy and understanding, yet leaders need to show discernment so as not to be exploited or manipulated
A focal actor and sufferer engaging in sensemaking
A focal actor acting compassionately	Paradox of the imperative for compassion to answer one person’s suffering versus the imperative for equality and fairness to other team members
	Paradox of weakness versus courage
Non applicable	Paradox of the impact on the leader- member relationship: distance (hierarchy) versus closeness (interpersonal bonds)