I recently attended a thoughtful discussion where the topic of teaching and passing on knowledge came up. Someone made an excellent point – you really need to master a skill before you try to teach it to others.

This resonated with me, as I reflected on some of the teachers and mentors I’ve had in my life. I realized that the best ones had a deep understanding of their craft. They didn’t just know the superficial aspects, but the nuances, the exceptions to the rules, the finer technical points. With mastery comes confidence, and the ability to pass on knowledge clearly and effectively.

In contrast, some well-meaning teachers I’ve had simply repeated information they had heard second-hand. Since it had been filtered through other people, sometimes key elements were missing or “wrong.” The importance of first-hand mastery became obvious in these cases.

I think back to Mrs. Callahan, my 12th grade English teacher. She inspired a love of literature and writing because she was so passionate about books and language herself. She didn’t rely on cliff notes or borrowed analysis – she shared her own deep understanding that came from years of reading and study.

As I move forward in life, I want to emulate teachers like Mrs. Callahan. Whether I’m helping others master a hobby, skill, or way of thinking, I shouldn’t put the cart before the horse. It’s important to walk the path yourself first, allow your understanding to deepen and mature. This takes time and it allows you to internalize concepts much more completely.

There may be exceptions where people can learn “on the job” as they start teaching a subject. However, true mastery goes deeper and generally requires extensive first-hand experience. As seekers and lovers of knowledge, we owe it to those who follow in our footsteps to fully prepare before we presume to lead. The gifts of teaching are only magnified when founded on mastery.