How to Leave a Fingerprint Leadership Legacy

Often the topic of legacy is discussed by those in leadership. Some leaders are consumed with leaving a personal legacy based on their accomplishments. Their energies and efforts are focused on creating what could be defined as the “pièce de la résistance” of their lives. This is not a new concept; men have striven to leave their mark on society for centuries.

Insecure leaders attempt to keep their memory alive by building pyramids, castles, cities, skyscrapers, roads, and national forests. To say, “I was here…” – “I made a difference…” To point towards something that is at least a representation of their lives is more than a little appealing to mankind.  

Great leaders don’t worry about building monuments as their legacy; they are too busy touching lives…leaving fingerprints. This is the actual Biblical way of leaving a legacy according to 2 Timothy 2:2. Their lives are easy to follow and their paths are trackable.

When my children were little I had a simple way of locating them: I just followed their fingerprints. As they made their way throughout the house, they would touch the walls, tables, chairs, or toys, leaving evidence all along the way. All I had to do was follow the trail of telltale fingerprints to my child.

Leaders of influence can be followed through their lives and ministries by their fingerprints. Day by day they simply make a difference, influencing lives, doing the things that matter. You can follow the trail of these leaders. But instead of leading you to monuments, you will discover changed lives. Fingerprint leadership is seldom celebrated with ceremony because that is not the point. Real leaders do not lead for the glory. They want to make a difference. And influence is their greatest currency.