In my new reality where I work with anyone from anywhere, I recently participated in a discussion regarding the difference between change and evolution.

If you are a regular reader of this column, you may have already gathered that for me, leadership is an evolutionary process and I am open to the idea that I can evolve each and every day.

Granted I still struggle from time to time with some things in life and have been through a few foggy moments when I had to stop myself from pouring lemon juice in my coffee, but learning to laugh at my own shortcomings has provided me with empathy and patience for all that I encounter.

In short, I believe that everyone is a work in progress, and I will strive to remain open to advancement to the end of my days.

Believing thus, that each of us is a work in progress, when I meet someone who is struggling to embrace “change” — which we now sometimes prefer to call “the new normal” — I have a tendency to want to offer encouragement. This, as you might imagine, sometimes works better than others as some people seem willing to do absolutely anything to avoid progressing forward altogether.

I will also confess that I have occasionally found this attitude completely baffling, as I know first-hand the amazing ways that the world opens up for anyone who embraces a more fluid — or open-minded, if you prefer — state of consciousness. In fact, you might say that this is something that I struggled to reconcile in my own mind.

Struggled that is until Bill Storie and I were discussing the difference between change and evolution with Anthony Gruppo, the chief executive of Marsh Commercial UK, and he remarked: “You can’t stop change but you can stop your evolution. Change is for everyone, but evolution is for the motivated.”

Can I just say, wow.

How often does anyone get to be in the presence of another when they say something truly profound?

Better yet, how often does someone who is fortunate enough to hear a profound truth uttered also have an audience to share it with?

Realising that I have both shows me not just that I have a message to share of my own but by writing this column, podcasting and creating our Leaders In Action videos, I have also evolved to the point that I can help many other leaders share their wisdom to a growing global audience.

That is a humbling honour and, if I may say so, very, very cool. So if you are wondering, I highly recommend making whatever changes you need to make in order to embark on an evolutionary journey of your own. I don’t know where it will take you, but I can guarantee you won’t regret it.

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• Robin Trimingham is the chief operating officer of The Olderhood Group Ltd and a virtual presenter, journalist, podcaster and thought leader in the fields of life transition and change management. Connect with Robin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/olderhoodgroup1/ or robin@olderhood.com