I think what is meant is that for a vector space $V$ (such as $\mathfrak{gl}(n,\mathbb R)$), and a point $x\in V$, there is a natural identification of $T_xV$ with $V$. From your comment I take it that you prefer to view tangent vectors as operators on functions. In this language, the identification maps $v\in V$ to the directional derivative at $x$ in direction $v$, i.e. to the operator $\phi\mapsto \frac{d}{dt}|_{t=0}\phi(x+tv)$, which is an element of $T_xV$.