Chris Williams, who previously served as the VP of HR at Microsoft, is an executive advisor and consultant with over 40 years of experience in leadership and team building.The executive spoke to Insider.com.

In the past, I’ve discussed how to differentiate between real and imagined imposter syndrome. I reassured readers that, for the most part, you’re likely skilled at your job, and the self-doubt is often just in your mind.

However, there are times when you might not be performing well. As the former VP of HR at Microsoft, I’ve witnessed many people face challenges. I’ve observed employees miss deadlines, lose focus on objectives, or fall short of expectations in terms of the quality of their work.

So, how can you distinguish between struggling and genuinely failing at your job? Here are three signs that you might really be in trouble:

1. You’re receiving direct feedback 

The clearest way to know you’re not performing well is receiving clear feedback from your manager. Are they telling you your work is subpar? Are you repeatedly asked to redo tasks? Do they rarely give you positive feedback, and mostly point out errors?

While some managers are constantly pushing for more, better, and faster, if the feedback is specific, detailed, and accurate, you need to take it seriously—there’s an issue with your performance.

A strong indication of trouble comes through your performance review. If the review contains sharp language about the quality or timeliness of your work, it’s a sign of a problem. Negative feedback in reviews is usually softened, so if it’s direct and harsh, pay attention.

Keep in mind that some managers are poor at performance reviews, spending too much time on “areas of improvement” without giving credit for what’s going well. Be sure to differentiate between things that are essential to your role and those that are minor improvements. If the feedback highlights critical issues, then you truly have a problem.

2. You’re hearing nothing about your work 

The absence of feedback can be just as telling. If your manager never communicates with you, cancels one-on-one meetings, or avoids you, that’s a red flag. Silence from your manager is not a good sign. It often means they are uncomfortable addressing your performance, either because they don’t know how to handle the conversation or simply dislike confrontation.

If your peers also avoid you or don’t want to be associated with your work, it signals trouble as well. Rather than offer direct feedback, they choose silence to avoid getting involved with your struggles.

Being isolated from both your manager and colleagues is a serious indicator of underlying issues.

3. You’re working harder than everyone else 

If you’re putting in more effort than your peers or working excessively hard to keep up, it could point to a bigger problem. Yes, some jobs are demanding, but if you’re consistently working longer hours than others just to stay afloat, it suggests an issue.

I once taught an advanced placement computer science class where most students completed their first assignment in an hour. One student, however, struggled for days and turned in a 40-page version that was functional but far too lengthy. Later, his parents complained about his constant overtime on assignments that should’ve taken only a couple of hours.

This student struggled through the year, but later went on to do well in college and eventually at Google. The excessive time spent on assignments was a clear sign that he wasn’t grasping the material early on, despite the effort.

If you’re putting in an unusual amount of time while your colleagues manage their tasks with ease, it’s a warning sign. If you’re drowning while others stay afloat, the issue likely lies with your performance, not the job itself.

How to improve your performance 

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to seek help. Reach out to your manager if possible. Explore training programs within your company or seek one-on-one coaching. A supportive peer might also be able to share helpful tips or different approaches.

If you continue struggling without addressing these issues, it could lead to either leaving the job or facing ongoing dissatisfaction. It’s crucial to recognize when you need help and take steps to improve.