The man on the left is older, giving him a slight edge, because of implied experience. However, he wears an invisible tie, taking away any edge he may have had. A man’s tie is his power tool, and it’s also what distinguishes him from other men in suits and ties. The white shirt and “matching” tie look blah and make him appear indistinguishable.
In reality, neither man looks powerful. The younger man wears a pastel pink tie, and while it’s not invisible, it doesn’t suggest power or authority. He has a “fashion” look as opposed to a “boardroom” look. He could be a museum curator or work in an art gallery. It’s a refined and pleasant look, but it suggests an artistic streak rather than a power look. The darker the color, the higher the authority, so the pale grey suit needs a power tie to convey any authority.
