The best quantifier of a woman’s success may not be her IQ, good looks or anything else you would expect. In fact, the secret may reside in a very important digit: her ring finger.

A study has shown that a woman’s ring finger can predict her career preferences, entrepreneurial skills and other traits that are essential to success.

The research, which was carried out by economists Aldo Rustichini and Luigi Guiso, consisted of interviews of over two thousand Italian men and women who are small-business owners and founders.

Halfway through the interview, the subjects were asked by the entrepreneurs to have their hand photographed.

Those with longer ring fingers than index fingers were found to be more assertive and willing to take the risks necessary to succeed in business.

Longer ring fingers also were found to correlate with success in competitive sports, as well.

In general, the most successful entrepreneurs had ring fingers 10 to 20 per cent longer than their index finger.

Are you finished looking at your hands yet? Good. Don’t possess a longer ring finger? Don’t let this study hinder your dreams; use it as motivation to disprove it.

Hugh Everett | Elite.