My Training of Trainers Journey with NBM LearnOrgLab
We encourage participants to reflect on their experiences and share feedback on the impact of our learning opportunities. These reflections highlight not only the skills and knowledge gained but also the personal growth, professional insights, and sense of community that develop throughout the learning process. The following contribution from Anastasia Tanas, Senior Expert in the International Relations and European Integration Department at the National Bank of Moldova (NBM), illustrates how the NBM LearnOrgLab project fostered meaningful learning, boosted confidence, and inspired a lasting commitment to continuous development.
"Taking part in the Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions within the NBM LearnOrgLab project, led by colleagues from the National Bank of Moldova (NBM) and trainers from the Netherlands, was a truly valuable experience. This experience stood out because it was not only practical and engaging but also closely aligned with my personal and professional development goals.
Throughout the sessions, we practiced various aspects of training delivery—everything from structuring content and managing audiences to exploring techniques that make presentations more dynamic and engaging. A key learning moment for me was discovering the importance of non-verbal communication as I realized how body language, eye contact, tone, and pacing can significantly affect the impact of a presentation.
The environment was both supportive and inspiring. The strong sense of mutual engagement made it easy to exchange experiences, ask questions, and provide feedback. I particularly appreciated the combination of local and international perspectives, which enriched the conversations and introduced a diverse set of training methods.
One of the most valuable takeaways was a deeper understanding of how to create meaningful audience engagement through non-verbal cues and interactive approaches. Coupled with practical guidance on structuring sessions and presenting with confidence, this motivated me to invest further in my development. I have since enrolled in a diction and public speaking course, recognizing that voice control, articulation, and stage presence are essential skills to strengthen my effectiveness as a trainer — not just as someone who shares knowledge, but as someone who inspires and connects.
This experience not only provided me with practical tools but also helped me build stronger relationships with peers and mentors. I now know whom to turn to for advice or collaboration and feel truly part of a professional community. From a performance perspective, my communication skills have notably improved. I feel more persuasive and can express my thoughts better in both team meetings and external engagements. These improvements have helped me align more closely with strategic organizational goals, such as increasing staff capacity and improving outreach.
Most importantly, my understanding of training itself has evolved. I no longer view it as a simple transfer of knowledge, but as a process of transformation, creating a space where people can grow, think critically, and actively engage. I believe this collective learning experience has laid the foundation for institutional changes, sparking interest in integrating reflection, presentation coaching, and peer learning into our internal training programs. Contributing to this shift, both by example and advocacy, is something I take great pride in."