I think that is a very "mathematician" thing to say; my own experience of doing mathematics is largely in accord. A little experience of teaching mathematics shows that this doesn't work for most people.
IMHO the best way to teach any concept is to start with a problem or question that can eventually be solved using the concept. Start with the question in general terms but don't provide the answer, let people think about it, make it engaging conversation and slowly and steadily build the concept that leads to the solution.
