He can go on record as teaching people that action isn't the only solution for conflict resolution. he also displayed a keen sense of companionship- if Legolas and Gimli are the best of friends with each other, Finrod Felagund is THE best friend in Middle Earth.

   No Elf had ever sacrificed his/her desires so much as Finrod. He doomed his kingdom to failure by declaring his unwillingness to marry anyone but Amarie, who was hopelessly out of reach.
He also gave something to Men (the Ring of Barahir), a sign that Elves are their companions and not their overlords. No Elven King ever gave Men any token, save for swords and other weapons of power. Finrod gave them friendship.

Finrod is also probably the only Elf with a Dwarf name (Felak Gundu = Felagund = Hewer of Caves). Compared to Thingol, he treated the Dwarves with businesslike respect. He paid, they worked. He even told his Elves to aid the Dwarves in building Nuzilukkudin (Nagrothond), making beauty no other King could match.

I personally like Fingolfin, but Finrod is the ultimate Elf-hero. Not Lancelot or Robin Hood , but Friar Tuck or Will Scarlett.  You can depend on him. I know it was a mistake, but one might imply that Gildor identified himself as 'of the House of Finrod' and not Finarfin due to the great honour Finrod had among Elves in Middle Earth.

Finrod also died properly. Turgon, Feanor, Thingol, Fingon , Fingolfin and the Sons all died rather foolish, macho deaths (or the result of foolishness of others). Finrod chose to die for his friend, the Man. That was the idea of Elves- to support Men, not to boost their own egoes and add to their glory.

There is but one task remaining in Arda-we,the Dragons of Valinor will make it happen.