There's absolutely nothing that put Garling above other Gorosei in portrayal. If any they talked to him as if he was their inferior. He won't even fight Luffy or Zoro, what does he need to be strong for?
They talked to him as an inferior because he was
he was a mere mortal HK while they were immortal Gorosei ruling for centuries
They had the deepest contract etc
Now Garling is their peer, and they can’t do shit about that. Garling walked into that room like it belonged to him already
and yes there is something that put Garling above them : relevance
he is the most relevant Gorosei. The one with an history with Shanks one of the most important character. The one Oda will focus on the most for now : GV, Harald flashback etc. The only Gorosei on the main players panel. Etc etc
Garling is the moon, the closest to the earth
Garling will very likely be the strongest Gorosei in my book
the others narratives aren’t as strong