Power struggles, increased pressure and ticking clocks, losing an advantage, loss of control

Past secrets being made public by a competitor
A work or school project being destroyed or tampered with
A physical attack that sidelines the character
Theft of the character's work or ideas
The destruction of a machine, facility, or system by an activist group
The public being influenced against the character through lies or manipulation
The character's reputation being attacked
Deliberate underachieving and poor performance by co-workers or employees
Important supplies being purposely rerouted and lost
Official documents being destroyed
The media only reporting negative information (and ignoring anything positive) about a character, organization, or issue
The distribution of counterfeit correspondence (an email, transcript, affidavit, signed confession, press release, etc.) meant to discredit the sender
An ally being won over by the enemy or taken out of the game altogether

Having to start over
Lost revenue from having to pay for new supplies, repairs, labor, etc.
Expending energy and time on dispelling rumors instead of on important work that needs to be done
A decrease in responsibilities and opportunities, such as being demoted or removed from a project