But the research tells a different story: that in fact humor is one of the most powerful tools we have for accomplishing serious things. Top executives know this, which is why 98% of CEOs prefer employees with a sense of humor, and 84% of VPs believe employees with a sense of humor do better work. Studies show that humor makes us appear more competent, confident, and influential; it builds bonds, defuses tension, earns us buy-in for our ideas, and even helps spark new ones.