A major part of being a gadol Hador
(although hardly the Definition of )
is being a Manhig
Reb Dovid prefers to refrain from that role.
When they asked him to join the Moetzes ,he at first declined. Eventually he agreed , but largely from a distance.
Yichusdik,
When they were being Maspid Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchanan at his Levaya, They lamented him as the Rashkaba”g
When asked [Translated] How come they wouldn’t call him gadol hador?
The response was “Because Reb Yehoshua Leib is alive [in Yerushalayim]”!