At this writing, the U.S. pandemic is approaching 1.5 million COVID-19 cases and 87,000 deaths. Businesses are launching plans to reopen, striving to balance competing healthcare and economic priorities under tremendous pressures. The instrumental linchpin connecting these intentions will be the degree to which people feel safe enough to re-engage their respective roles. For ophthalmology practices, success or failure will be a function of patient re-engagement and staff commitment. Accordingly, practice leaders will do well to cultivate courage and confidence among these internal and external customers through their influential leadership. Here, four principles for leading in ways that mitigate fear and cultivate courage.