HaKatan, Rav Kook didn’t say that about himself. It was said about him by someone who doesn’t view such a concept as out of the question.
I don’t think Rav Kook viewed himself as a trail blazer. He noticed the trend of people populating Eretz Yisroel and expressed his approval. He considered himself part of the Yishuv Hayashan, and he never officially broke.
So, he would tell you that his Hashkafa was not influenced by Goyim, while those who don’t see that as such a big deal would agree to say that he was. Your question hits a dead end Mima Nafshach.