The TNIV says that after hearing the cries of the men and women and when he heard how they were being taken advantaged of by their own brothers, Nehemiah "pondered" these things in his mind.

I love how the ESV reads. Nehemiah says, "I took counsel with myself..."

In Practicing Greatness, Reggie McNeal encourages leaders to be self-aware, to practice self-management, to understand your mission, and to practice the discipline of decision-making.

It seems here that Nehemiah practiced these disciplines and was comfortable enough with himself (self-awareness, self-management, and mission) to stop, think, and then act accordingly (decision-making).

Nehemiah 5:1, Nehemiah 5:2-3, Nehemiah 5:5, Nehemiah 5:6, Nehemiah 5:7, Nehemiah 5:9 and Nehemiah 5:10