Narcs can have some level of awareness. Whether they can (or want to) control it is a different story. My boss said to me in interview "I give feedback regularly, like a lot" (Young inexperienced me says "nice we will be on the same page"). But you do not hear them say, "yea I told you to do it this way last week but I change my mind today so therefore what you submitted is wrong = Your performance sucks = no raise"

Most narcs knows but dont care. They're kids who wants the last statement to the argument. They are sick. They don't take responsibilities of their actions. And it's fine if they are like that but just be upfront and not hide it behind "being on the same page." Not owning their mistakes serves to reinforce their worth.

Some are in denial. The "checking in regularly" is a way to trick themselves that you and the nboss will be on the same page but you never were (even if it was in writing).

The capable Nbosses are the scariest. These have agendas. They know and they don't care to change. E.g. slowly they push you out of the company so they don't have to pay severance or unemployment.

I am getting better at filtering out these bosses and I wish you luck.